FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to methods of handling containers for selectively
dispensing one or more objects via automated processes. More specifically, the present
invention provides a method for selectively opening a container that contains metered
seed sample aliquots. The method applies one or more forces to the container to release
one or more objects contained therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Plant breeding, plant product development, plant product characterization, and plant
product commercialization processes often require a large number of particles or components
comprising aliquots from a bulk or composite particulate sample, such as a seed sample.
For example, in agricultural research, it is often necessary to segregate an aliquot
from a bulk sample such that the aliquot includes one or more selected seeds (representing
a statistically-significant population, for example). Such aliquots must also sometimes
be treated with a selected treatment compound (such as a particular fungicide or insecticide,
for example) and packaged with indicia that allows a researcher or field technician
to easily identify the aliquot, as well as the handling history and treatment history
of the aliquot. An example is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. [TBD], entitled
"
System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Automated High-Throughput Seed Sample
Aliquot Preparation, Treatment, and Dispersal, " which claims priority from United States Provisional Application No.
60/806,684, also entitled "
System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Automated High-Throughput Seed Sample
Aliquot Preparation, Treatment, and Dispersal," both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
[0003] Current processes for dispensing packages containing one or more particles or components
comprising an aliquot as part of an intermediate research and/or manufacturing step,
is a complex and labor-intensive one. Conventional techniques require aliquots to
be packaged in small paper coin envelopes. In order to deposit the aliquots for planting
research plots, the paper coin envelopes are manually opened at the desired planting
locations. Not only is this process very time consuming, requiring a great deal of
manual labor, but the paper coin envelopes are not well suited for closing and re-opening,
much less re-opening by automated processes.
[0004] Some improved containers for use in receiving, containing, and dispensing aliquots
have been disclosed, for example in
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/806,660 and U.S. Patent Application No. [TBD], both entitled "
Buckling Clamshell Container for Automated Aliquot and Dispersal Processes, " the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
These documents generally describe an improved package assembly comprising first and
second portions configured to cooperate to contain the particular aliquot. The package
assemblies described in these documents are easily closed and re-opened, easily and
economically manufactured, and may be provided in a one-piece assembly. Moreover,
the package assemblies may be re-used.
[0005] However, there is a further need in the art for a method of handling such package
assemblies. The method should provide for automated handling of one or more package
assemblies and should facilitate separating first and second portions to release at
least a portion of the particulate aliquot. Furthermore, there is a need for a method
of handling package assemblies that identifies a package assembly label comprising
a indicia of the aliquot.
[0006] WO 2005/077811 discloses a method in accordance with the precharacterizing section of claim 1.
[0007] The present invention provides a method of handling a package assembly comprising
first and second portions which cooperate to contain the contents, said method comprising:
receiving the package assembly in a package assembly handling device; and applying
a force to the package assembly using the package assembly handling device so that
the first and second portions at least partially separate in response to the force,
characterized in that the step of applying a force to the package assembly comprises
at least one of applying a compressive force to opposing sides of the package assembly
to flex the second portion outwardly from the first portion about a flexure axis such
as to allow re-use of the package assembly or inserting an opening tool between the
first and second portions of the package assembly such as to allow re-use of the package
assembly, and in that the package assembly contains a particulate aliquot and in that
the application of the force releases at least a portion of the particulate aliquot.
[0008] The present invention provides a package assembly handling system and a package assembly,
the package assembly comprising first and second portions that cooperate to contain
contents, the handling system comprising: a package assembly handling device configured
for applying a force to the package assembly so that the first and second portions
at least partially separate, characterized in that the apparatus is configured to
apply the force by at least one of applying a compressive force to opposing sides
of the package assembly to flex the second portion outwardly from the first portion
about a flexure axis such as to allow re-use of the package assembly or inserting
an opening tool between the first and second portions of the package assembly such
as to allow re-use of the package assembly, and in that the first and second portions
cooperate to contain a particulate aliquot and in that the applying a force releases
at least a portion of the particulate aliquot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The embodiments of the present invention satisfy the needs listed above and provide
other advantages as described below. Embodiments of the present invention may include
a method of handling a package assembly containing a particulate aliquot (such as
one or more selected types of agricultural seeds) and comprising first and second
portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot. According to some embodiments, the
method comprises receiving the package assembly in a package assembly handling device,
and applying a force to the package assembly using the package assembly handling device
so that the first and second portions separate in response to the force, thus releasing
at least a portion of the particulate aliquot. In various embodiments, the step of
applying a force to the package assembly may comprise, but is not limited to, applying
a compressive force to the package assembly; inserting an opening tool between the
first and second portions of the package assembly; or applying a force approximately
normal to a plane defined by a flange portion of the package assembly; or combinations
thereof. In some embodiments, the step of receiving the package assembly may comprise
receiving a closed package assembly in an inverted orientation wherein the first portion
comprises a container portion and the second portion comprises a cover portion, the
cover portion being disposed below the container portion and wherein when the cover
portion separates from the container portion, the particulate aliquot is released
from the package assembly. The step of applying a compressive force in some embodiments
may comprise moving the package assembly along a package assembly handling path defined
by a pair of opposing guide rails using a pusher assembly, wherein the package assembly
passes adjacent a pinch area defined in one of the guide rails, and wherein the pinch
area deflects one of opposing sides of the package assembly, thus compressing the
package assembly between the pinch area and the other of the guide rails. In other
embodiments, the pinch area may comprise, but is not limited to, a geometry of at
least one of the guide rails configured such that the guide rails converge as the
package assembly moves along the package assembly handling path; one or more pinch
rollers defined in at least one of the guide rails and configured to deflect at least
one of opposing sides of the package assembly as the package assembly moves along
the package assembly handling path; an actuated section of at least one of the guide
rails configured to move inward so as to deflect at least one of opposing sides of
the package assembly; or at least one adjustable insert or section located in one
or both guide rails configured to deflect at least one of opposing sides of the package
assembly, the insert or section being configured to adjust the amount of the compression
force applied to the package assembly; or combinations thereof. Some embodiments may
further comprise identifying a package assembly label comprising a indicia of the
aliquot using a machine reader device, which may include, but is not limited to, a
bar code reader, or an RFID reader, or combinations of such devices.
[0010] Some embodiments may further comprise inserting an opening tool between portions
of the package assembly. In various embodiments, inserting an opening tool between
portions of the package assembly may comprise moving the package assembly relative
to a stationary opening tool, moving an opening tool relative to a stationary package
assembly, or a combination of both. In some embodiments the opening tool may be inserted
into an existing aperture defined by at least one of a pair of opposing concave portions
located on a flange portion of the package assembly for encouraging at least one of
the first and second portions to flex outwardly from the other portion about the flexure
axis so that the first and second portions separate. The step of inserting the opening
tool into the aperture may also comprise inserting an opening tool into an aperture
defined by at least one of a pair of opposing concave portions located on a first
flange portion of the package assembly and at least one concave portion located on
a second flange portion of the package assembly and adapted to substantially align
with at least one of the pair of opposing concave portions when the first and second
portions are closed. The step of inserting the opening tool may also comprise moving
the package assembly along a package assembly handling path defined by a pair of opposing
guide rails using a pusher assembly so that the aperture of the package assembly contacts
a leading end of an opening tool. In addition, the method may further comprise deflecting
one of the first or second portions of the package assembly when the first and second
portions separate so that the package assembly at least temporarily remains in an
open position. Furthermore, the method may also include applying a force approximately
normal to a plane defined by the flange portion using the package dispenser, for encouraging
the first and second portions to separate. The force may comprise actuating a disengaging
tool through a notch portion defined in one of first and second flange portions of
the package assembly to exert a force against the other of the first and second flange
portions.
[0011] In addition to various embodiments describing a method of handling package assemblies,
the present invention also provides various embodiments of a package handling system.
Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide many advantages that
may include, but are not limited to: providing automated handling of one or more package
assemblies; automatically facilitating separation of first and second portions of
the package assemblies in response to a compressive force; and identifying package
assembly labels comprising indicia of the aliquots.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made
to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram showing a package assembly handling system configured to
execute a method of handling package assemblies in accordance with one exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package assembly handling device of a package assembly
handling system configured to execute a method of handling package assemblies in accordance
with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from a reverse angle of the package assembly handling device
of FIG. 2 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows a package assembly, in an open position, for use with the package assembly
handling device of FIG. 2 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4A shows a package assembly, in a closed position, for use with the package assembly
handling device of FIG. 2 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from a reverse angle of the package assembly handling device
of FIG. 2 wherein a package assembly is being lowered by an elevator assembly into a package
assembly handling path in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view from a reverse angle of the package assembly handling device
of FIG. 2 wherein a package assembly is being pushed by a pusher assembly along a package assembly
handling path in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view from a reverse angle of the package assembly handling device
of FIG. 2 wherein a package assembly is being pushed by a pusher assembly along a package assembly
handling path into an opening tool and wherein a disengaging tool is being actuated,
in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view from a reverse angle of an opening tool of a package assembly
handling device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 shows a side view of a package assembly according to one embodiment of the present
invention including an exemplary flexing action of a cover portion of the package
assembly in response to an applied compressive force; and
FIG. 10 shows a side view of a package assembly according to one embodiment of the present
invention including disengagement of a cover portion from a container portion after
the application of a compressive force.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention
are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments
are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like
numbers refer to like elements throughout.
[0014] While the embodiments of the present invention are described below in the context
of handling package assemblies in an agricultural research environment wherein a package
assembly handling device may be used to handle a package assembly to dispense seed
aliquots containing seeds of a particular type (such as, for example, seeds corresponding
to a selected corn plant hybrid or genetically modified organism (GMO)), it should
be understood that embodiments of the method of handling package assemblies of the
present invention may also serve as a method for dispensing a variety of particles,
components, powders, fluids, foods, and/or other items that may require temporary
containment and/or segregation prior to being utilized for a downstream process. Embodiments
of the present invention may thus be useful for selectively dispensing such items
when required.
[0015] As noted above, current processes known in the art for dispensing packages containing
one or more particles or components comprising an aliquot as part of an intermediate
research and/or manufacturing step, is a complex and labor-intensive one. These prior
art techniques often require a great deal of manual labor and time to deposit the
aliquots for planting research plots. In general terms, the present invention provides
an automated method for handling one or more package assemblies. The method facilitates
at least partial separation of first and second portions of a package assembly in
response to a force applied to the package assembly, thus releasing at least a portion
of the aliquot. The following is a description of the components of a package handling
system and a method of handling package assemblies, in accordance with exemplary embodiments
of the present invention, however it should be understood that many other embodiments
not depicted are possible within the scope of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a package assembly handling system
10 configured to execute a method of handling package assemblies containing a particulate
aliquot in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown
in the figure, the package assembly handling system
10 of the depicted embodiment comprises a pneumatic supply
20, a controller
30, a scanner
40, and a package assembly handling device
50. The controller
30 controls the pneumatic supply
20, which operates one or more pneumatic components of the package assembly handling
device
50. The controller
30 also controls the scanner
40, which, as will be discussed in more detail below, is configured to read information
from the package assemblies. The controller
30 may also directly control one or more components of the package assembly handling
device
50.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package assembly handling device
50 of one embodiment showing its various components. Generally, the package assembly
handling device
50 of the depicted embodiment comprises a tray assembly
52, a base plate
54, first and second guide rails
56, 57, an elevator assembly
58, and a pusher assembly
60 (not visible in FIG. 2). The tray assembly
52 includes an array of bins
62 configured to hold a plurality of package assemblies
100. The base plate
56 is located below the tray assembly
52, with the guide rails
56, 57 mounted in a spaced parallel arrangement on top of the base plate
54, such that the guide rails
56, 57 are disposed directly below the bottom of the tray assembly
52. In the depicted embodiment, the tray assembly
52, base plate
54, guide rails
56, elevator assembly
58, and pusher assembly
60 of the depicted embodiment are constructed primarily of metal materials, such as
steel and/or aluminum, however in other embodiments these components may be constructed
of any other material(s) suitable for handling package assemblies, as described below.
[0018] The tray assembly
52 is oriented with the guide rails
56, 57 such that the bottom of each of the bins
62 is substantially aligned between the guide rails
56, 57. Additionally, the tray assembly
52 is movable in a direction approximately aligned with arrow
A1 so that the bottom of each bin
62 may be substantially aligned with a loading area
64 (better viewed in FIG. 3) defined by opposing recesses
66 created in the first and second guide rails
56, 57. The loading area 64 is configured to receive a package assembly
100 for moving along a package assembly handling path defined by the guide rails
56, 57. The elevator assembly
58 is located below the loading area
64 and includes an elevating mechanism
67 which raises and lowers a pair of supports
68 in a direction approximately aligned with arrow
A2. The supports
68 are located between the guide rails
56, 57 substantially aligned with the loading area
64. The elevator assembly
58 is configured to move the supports
68 in a direction approximately aligned with arrow
A2. In the depicted embodiment, the tray assembly
52, the elevator assembly
58, and the pusher assembly
60 are movable through pneumatic power by control of the controller
30, however in other embodiments any one or any combination of the tray assembly
52, elevator assembly
58, or pusher assembly may be movable by other means, including, but not limited to,
gear trains or screw drive systems driven by one or more electric motors controlled
by the controller
30.
[0019] Although the tray assembly
52 of the depicted embodiment is shown empty, each bin
62 is configured to hold a plurality of package assemblies
100, which may be stacked one on top of another in a closed position. So configured, the
tray assembly
52 provides an array of closed package assemblies
100. In the depicted embodiment, the tray assembly
52 creates an array that is 1 row by 8 bins (1 x 8). However, in other embodiments a
tray assembly may comprise a variety of configurations designed to suit differing
storage, space, and/or performance constraints. In such embodiments, the tray assembly
may be movable in other directions so as to substantially align the bottoms of the
bins with a loading area. Alternatively, multiple loading areas may be available to
receive package assemblies from the tray assembly.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from a reverse angle of the package assembly handling device
50 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in
FIG. 2. In this figure, the tray assembly
52 and the first guide rail
56 have been removed to facilitate discussion. Each of the first and second guide rails
56, 57 includes a support surface
74 which defines the package assembly handling path and along which a package assembly
100 travels after being loaded from the tray assembly
52 into the loading area
64. The pusher assembly
60 includes a pushing mechanism
70 that is configured to move a pair of pusher fingers
72 and a disengaging device
73 in a direction approximately aligned with arrow
A3. The pusher fingers
72 are configured to move the package assembly
100 along the package assembly handling path. As will discussed in more detail below,
the disengaging device
73 is configured to aid in opening a package assembly
100. The pusher fingers
72 are located between the supports
68 so that when the pair of pusher fingers
72 are moved by the pushing mechanism
70 and/or the pair of supports
68 are moved by the elevating mechanism
67, the pusher fingers
72 and the supports
68 move independent of, and do not interfere with, each other. A pinch area
75 is disposed in the second guide rail
57 along the support surface
74, downstream from the loading area
64. The pinch area
75 is designed to apply a compressive force to the package assembly
100 as the package assembly
100 moves along the package assembly handling path. The pinch area
75 of the depicted embodiment is formed by a geometry of the second guide rail
57, such that a portion of the second guide rail
57 extends out some distance from the second guide rail
57 toward the first guide rail
56 so that the guide rails
56, 57 converge and a compressive force is applied to the package assembly
100 as it moves along the package assembly handling path past the pinch area
75 by squeezing the package assembly
100 between the first and second guide rails
56, 57. In various other embodiments, the pinch area
75 may be formed in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, a geometric configuration
of the first and/or second guide rails that results in the first and second guide
rails converging such that a compressive force is applied the package assembly; one
or more pinch rollers defined by the first and/or second guide rails that extend inward
so as to apply a compressive force to the package assembly; one or more actuated sections
of the first and/or second guide rails wherein the one or more sections are configured
to apply a compressive force to the package assembly when actuated inward; at least
one adjustable insert or section located in one or both guide rails configured to
deflect at least one of opposing sides of the package assembly, the insert or section
being configured to adjust the amount of the compression force applied to the package
assembly; and combinations thereof.
[0021] An opening tool
76 that includes a spear
78 defining a spear end
80 (shown in more detail in
FIG. 8) is located between the guide rails
56, 57 downstream from the loading area
64 and is configured such that a package assembly
100 moving along the package assembly handling path contacts the spear end
80. In the depicted embodiment, the opening tool
76 is constructed of a steel material, however in other embodiments it may be constructed
of any material structured to facilitate opening of a package assembly
100.
[0022] A scanner
40 is located proximate the package assembly handling path and is configured to read
a label
101 containing indicia associated with each package assembly
100 before the package assembly
100 opens to release the aliquot. In the depicted embodiment, the label
101 includes barcode information relating to the aliquot contained in the package assembly
100, however in other embodiments, the scanner
40 may be any other device capable of machine reading a label, including, but not limited
to, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader capable of identifying an RFID
transponder associated with the package assembly
100, and/or a combination of a RFID reader and a barcode reader. Additionally, although
the scanner
40 of the depicted embodiment of the present invention is located proximate the package
assembly handling path downstream from the loading area
64, in other embodiments a scanner could be located in a variety of locations. For example,
one or more scanners could be located proximate the tray assembly
52, the pusher assembly
60, the elevator assembly
58, and/or the opening tool
76. In other embodiments, package assemblies could be scanned with an independent scanner
prior to being loaded in the tray assembly
52. Howerver, it should be noted that not all embodiments of the present invention include
a scanner.
[0023] As noted above, improved package assemblies for use in receiving, containing, and
dispensing aliquots have been disclosed, for example in
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/806,660 and U.S. Patent Application No. [TBD].
FIGS. 4 and
4A show an exemplary package assembly
100 of a type that may be used in conjunction with the dispenser
50 shown in
FIGS. 1-3. Specifically,
FIGS. 4 and
4A show a perspective view of a package assembly
100, in open and closed positions, respectively, usable in conjunction with the method
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the package
assembly
100 may generally comprise a container portion
110 defining an opening
120 and including at least two opposing sides
112,114. The package assembly
100 may further comprise a cover portion
130 configured to cooperate with the container portion
110 to selectively close the opening
120 defined by the container portion
110. It should be noted, however, that the method of handling package assemblies of various
embodiments of the present invention described herein may operate on a variety of
package assembly designs and thus the present invention should not be limited to use
with the particular package assemblies those shown in the figures.
[0024] In order to effectively close the opening
120 defined by the container portion
110 of the depicted embodiment, the cover portion
130 may comprise a reinforcing ridge portion
140 operably engaged about a perimeter of the cover portion
130 and configured to be capable of engaging an inner periphery of the opening
120, in an interference fit, so as to selectively close the opening
120, such that the cover portion
130 is not easily disengaged from the container portion
110 without the application of a compressive force, as described herein. It should be
noted that in various embodiments, only a portion of the cover portion
130 and the container portion
110 may cooperate to hold the portions in a closed position. Moreover, an interference
fit need not be required to hold the cover portion
130 in a closed position over the opening
120 of the container portion
110. The method of various embodiments of the present invention is operable in conjunction
with package assemblies of a variety of designs, which are configured so that first
and second portions at least partially separate in response to a force applied to
the package assembly. In such a manner, the first and second portions may separate,
at least partially, in response to the force, thus releasing at least a portion of
a particulate aliquot contained within the package assembly. Thus, for example, package
assemblies of other embodiments may comprise independent first and second portions
wherein when the portions separate, one of the portions falls away from the other.
Additionally, an adhesive or heat sealing material may be used to hold the first and
second portions (or a portion of the first and second portions) in a closed position,
wherein the adhesive or sealing material is designed to fail when the package assembly
is subjected to a force.
[0025] The reinforcing ridge portion
140 of the depicted embodiment may also define a pair of flexure channels
145 on opposing sides
131, 133 of the cover portion
130. Furthermore, the flexure channels
145 may cooperate to define a flexure axis
142 extending substantially perpendicularly to the opposing sides
131, 133 of the cover portion
130 defining the flexure channels
145 such that the flexure axis
142 is substantially parallel to the opposing sides
112, 114 of the container portion
110.
[0026] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the container portion
110, the cover portion
130, and the opening
120 defined by the container portion may be formed into a variety of different shapes.
For example, in some embodiments, the various components of the package assembly
100 may be formed in a substantially rectangular shape. In other embodiments the various
components (such as the container portion
110, cover portion
130, and reinforcing ridge portion
140) may be formed to have a variety of other shapes, including but not limited to: polygonal
shapes (including, but not limited to rectangles, triangles, hexagons); circular;
oval; semi-circular; and combinations of such shapes.
[0027] As shown in FIG.
4, the flexure channels
145 defined in the reinforcing ridge portion
140 of the cover portion
130 may have a substantially half-circular cross section. According to other embodiments,
the flexure channels
145 may also define various other cross-sectional shapes that may be tailored to define
a flexure axis
142 extending substantially perpendicularly to the opposing sides
131, 133 of the cover portion
130. For example, the flexure channels
145 may, in some alternative embodiments, define cross-sectional shapes that may include,
but are not limited to: rectangular; oval; circular; triangular; and combinations
of such cross-sectional shapes. The shape of the cross-section of the flexure channel
145 may thus be tailored to suit the material used to form the cover portion
130 and/or the reinforcing ridge portion
140 so as to define a distinct flexure axis
142 across a width of the cover portion
130 such that the cover portion flexes outwardly from the container portion
110 about the flexure axis
142 defmed by the opposing flexure channels
145 (see, for example,
FIG. 9, showing the flexing action of the cover portion
130 about the flexure axis
142 in response to a compressive force applied to the package assembly
100).
[0028] Thus, in the depicted embodiment the cover portion
130 may be configured to flex outwardly from the container portion
110 about the flexure axis
142, when a compressive force is applied to at least one of two opposing sides
112, 114 of the container portion
110. The compressive force may thus initiate the disengagement of the reinforcing ridge
portion
140 from the inner periphery of the opening
120 so that the cover portion
130 disengages from the container portion
110. The package assembly
100 of the depicted embodiment is inverted such that the cover portion
130 may drop away (see
FIG. 10) from the container portion
110 after the reinforcing ridge portion
140 has been disengaged from the inner periphery of the opening
120 due to a compressive force applied to the opposing sides
112, 114 of the container portion
100.
[0029] The package assembly
100 may thus be used to disperse one or more particles
300 (such as a seed sample aliquot) that have been segregated and contained within the
container portion
110 of the package assembly
100 of the present invention. As described generally above, the package assembly
100 of various embodiments of the present invention may be advantageously opened by the
simple application of a compressive force to at least one of the opposing sides
112, 114 of the container portion
110 of the package assembly
100 while suspending the package assembly
100 in an inverted position.
[0030] As shown generally in
FIG. 4A, the package assembly
100 may further comprise a hinge portion
150 operably engaged between an edge of the cover portion
130 and one of the at least two opposing sides
112, 114 of the container portion
110 such that the cover portion
130 and the container portion
110 may form a substantially unitary package assembly
100 even when the cover portion
130 (and the reinforcing ridge portion
140 extending therefrom) is disengaged from the inner periphery of the opening
120 defined in the container portion
110 (as shown generally in FIG.
9). In some embodiments of the present invention, the hinge portion
150 may be integrally formed with one or both of the container portion
110 and the cover portion
130 to form a unitary package assembly
100. According to some alternative embodiments, the hinge portion
150 may also be operably engaged with one or both of the container portion
110 and the cover portion
130 using an adhesive material in order to form the package assembly
100. As described generally above, the hinge portion
150 may be formed with a bias towards the "open" position (as shown generally in FIG.
9) such that the hinge portion
150 may urge the cover portion
130 generally away from the container portion
110 once the compressive force has caused the initial disengagement of the reinforcing
ridge portion
140 from an inner periphery of the opening
120 defined in the container portion
110.
[0031] Furthermore, as shown generally in FIGS.
4 and
4A, the package assembly
100 may also comprise a pair of complementary flange portions
119,132 extending outward from an outer periphery of the opening
120 and the reinforcing ridge portion
140 of the cover portion
130, respectively. For example, the package assembly
100 may further comprise a first flange portion
119 extending substantially perpendicular from at outer periphery of the opening
120, and a second flange portion
132 extending substantially outward from the reinforcing ridge
140 such that when the cover portion
130 closes the opening
120 defined by the container portion
110, the first flange portion
119 is substantially adjacent and parallel to the second flange portion
132. Furthermore, the second flange portion
132 may define a pair of opposing concave portions
135 substantially coaxial with the flexure axis
142. According to such embodiments, the concave portions
135 may form a corresponding pair of apertures between the first and second flange portions
119, 132 when the cover portion
130 closes the opening
120 defined by the container portion
110. For example, in some of such embodiments, the pair of apertures defined by the opposing
concave portions
135 formed in the second flange portion
132 may be adapted to be capable of receiving an opening tool
76 (described in more detail with respect to
FIGS. 5-8) for encouraging the cover portion
130 to flex outwardly from the container portion
110 about the flexure axis
142 so that the cover portion
130 disengages from the container portion
110. In various embodiments, an opening tool may any implement configured to aid in encouraging
package assembly portions to separate, such as a screwdriver, knife, or other narrow-bladed
implement, etc. Thus, such opposing concave portions
135 defined in by the second flange portion
132 may serve to define a corresponding pair of apertures between the flange portions
119,132 so that the opening tool
76 may be inserted into the aperture located at or near the flexure axis
142 so as to further urge the cover portion
130 out of its interference fit with the container portion
110. The package assembly
100 of the depicted embodiment also includes at least one corresponding concave portion
151 defmed by the first flange portion
119. The corresponding concave portion
151 is configured such that when the cover portion
130 is engaged with the container portion
110, the container ridge
151 substantially aligns with one of the opposing concave portions
135 defined by the second flange portion
132. In such a manner, the aligned concave portion
135 and corresponding concave portion
151 form a larger aperture between the first and second flange portions
119, 132 when the cover portion
130 closes the opening
120 defined by the container portion
110. As a result, the aperture formed by the concave portion
135 and the corresponding concave portion
135 creates a larger target for receiving an opening tool for encouraging the cover portion
130 to flex outwardly from the container portion
110 about the flexure axis
142 so that the cover portion
130 disengages from the container portion
110. It should be noted that in other embodiments, concave portions need not be included
on the package assembly. For such embodiments, an opening tool may still be used to
at least partially separate portions of a package assembly by inserting the opening
tool between the portions.
[0032] A notch portion
153 is defined by the first flange portion
119 of the depicted embodiment. The notch portion
153 is configured to allow a disengaging device
73 (described in more detail with respect to
FIGS. 5-7) to exert a force approximately normal to the second flange
132 through the notch portion
153. In such a manner, the disengaging device
73 may further facilitate disengaging the cover portion
130 from the container portion
110. In various embodiments, a disengaging device may be any device, tool, and/or mechanism
configured to exert a force through the notch portion
153 against the second flange
132. As such, in various embodiments a disengaging device may be used alone, or in combination
with the opening tool
76 received in one or both of the pair of apertures defined by the opposing ridges
135. As a result, in various embodiments, this may increase opening success for packaging
assemblies with dimensional variability. It should be noted that although the notch
portion
153 shown in the depicted embodiment is generally rectangular in shape, one skilled in
the art will recognize that a notch portion in accordance with the present invention
may take many other shapes, including, but not limited to, a half circular shape,
a half oval shape, a triangular shape, a circular shape, an oval shape, and combinations
thereof.
[0033] FIGS. 5-7 depict a method of handling a package assembly
100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, the
tray assembly
52 and the first guide rail
56 have been removed to facilitate discussion. The method of handling package assemblies
of various embodiments of the present invention may handle one or a plurality of package
assemblies. Referring to depicted embodiment of
FIG. 5, although a single package assembly
100 is shown, the description assumes that a stack of package assemblies exists above
the package assembly
100. The process begins with the tray assembly
52 moving such that a bin
62 containing a stack of package assemblies is aligned with the loading area
64, which is defined by opposing recessed areas
66 located in the first and second guide rails
56, 57. The distance between the first and second guide rails
56, 57 in the loading area
64 is configured to be slightly greater than the length of the package assembly
100. In this manner, the supports
68 may move into contact with the bottommost package assembly
100 and the stack of package assemblies may be moved up and down by the elevating mechanism
67 proximate the loading area
64. Once a stack of package assemblies has been moved by the tray assembly
52 into a position approximately aligned with the loading area
64, the elevating mechanism
67 moves the supports
68 into contact with the bottommost package assembly
100. The entire stack of package assemblies is then moved downward so that the flanges
119, 132 of the bottommost package assembly
100 approximately align with the support surfaces
74 of the first and second guide rails
56, 57. As the elevating mechanism
67 lowers the stack of package assemblies, the label
101 of the bottommost package assembly
100 is scanned by the scanner
40 (not shown). In this manner, information relating to the bottommost package assembly
100, which is the package assembly entering the package assembly handling path, may be
recorded. As the elevating mechanism
67 continues to lower the stack of package assemblies, the flanges
119, 132 of the bottommost package assembly
100 contact the support surfaces
74 of the first and second guide rails
56, 57. As shown in
FIG. 4A, in some embodiments the length of second flange portion
132 may be shorter than the length of first flange portion
119 so that when the package assembly
100 is lowered onto the support surfaces
74, the first flange portion
119 contacts the support surface
74 of the second guide rail
57 so that the cover portion
130 may be free to separate from the container portion
110 upon application of a compressive force.
[0034] In
FIG. 6, the pushing mechanism
70 (not shown) moves the pusher fingers
72 into contact with the bottommost package assembly
100 such that the package assembly
100 may be pushed out from the bottom of the stack of package assemblies, along the package
assembly handling path. The top surfaces of the pusher fingers
72 are configured so that as the pusher fingers
72 move the bottommost package assembly 100 out from under the stack of package assemblies
and along the package assembly handling path, the remaining stack of package assemblies
rides on top of the pusher fingers
72. Once the pusher fingers
72 move past the stack of package assemblies, the elevating mechanism
67 moves the supports
68 upward, lifting the stack of package assemblies off of the pusher fingers
72. The pushing mechanism
70 then continues to drive the pusher fingers
72, thus moving the package assembly
100 along the package assembly handling path defined by the support surfaces
74, past the pinch roller
75. As noted above, the pinch roller
75 extends out some distance from the second guide rail
57 toward the first guide rail
56 such that as the package assembly
100 passes the pinch roller
75, the package assembly
100 is forced against the first guide rail
56 and is thus subjected to a compressive force. In the depicted embodiment, the compressive
force is applied against the hinge portion
150 and an opposite end of at least one of the first and second flanges
119, 132. As such the compressive force is applied approximately perpendicular to the flexure
axis
142. The compressive force causes the cover portion
130 of the package assembly
100 to flex outwardly from the container portion
110 about the flexure axis
142, which causes the cover portion
130 of the package assembly
100 to bow downward (as shown, for example, in
FIG. 9). In some embodiments, this compressive force initiates the disengagement of the reinforcing
ridge portion
140 from the inner periphery of the opening
120 so that the cover portion
130 disengages from the container portion
110. As shown in
FIG. 10, in such embodiments the cover portion
130 drops away from the container portion
110 after the reinforcing ridge portion
140 has been disengaged from the inner periphery of the opening
120.
[0035] In other embodiments, such as the depicted embodiment, additional devices and/or
mechanisms may be used to further encourage the cover portion
130 to disengage from the container portion
110. Referring to
FIG. 7, once the cover portion
130 is bowed about the flexure axis
142, the pushing mechanism
70 drives the pusher fingers
72 to move the package assembly
100 such it engages an opening tool
76 (shown by itself in
FIG. 8). In particular, the package assembly
100 is moved along the package assembly handling path such that an existing aperture
defined by one of the opposing concave portions
135 and corresponding concave portion
151 of the package assembly
100 contacts the spear end
80 of the opening tool
76. The opening tool
76 is rigidly attached to the base plate
54 such that as the package assembly
100 continues to move along the package assembly handling path, the spear
78 inserts between the cover portion
130 and the container portion
110 of the package assembly
100.
[0036] Concurrently, a disengaging tool
73, which is attached between the pusher fingers
72, is actuated by the movement of the pusher fingers
72 along the package assembly handling path. In the depicted embodiment, the disengaging
tool
73 is mechanically actuated by the movement of the pusher fingers
72, however in other embodiments the disengaging tool
73 may be actuated in various other ways. Once actuated, the disengaging tool
73 of the depicted embodiment is configured to push downward through the notch portion
153 defined by the first flange portion
119 of the package assembly
100. In such a manner, the disengaging device
73 exerts a force approximately normal to the second flange
132 through the notch portion
153 further encouraging the cover portion
130 to disengage from the container portion
110. Thus, in the depicted embodiment, the opening tool
76 and the disengaging tool
73 ensure that the cover portion
130 completely disengages from the container portion
110.
[0037] If, as shown in the figures, the package assembly
100 is inverted, the cover portion
130 drops away from the container portion
110 after the reinforcing ridge portion
140 has been disengaged from the inner periphery of the opening
120. Once the cover portion
130 has disengaged from the container portion
110, a deflecting arm
82 of the opening tool
78 deflects the cover portion
130 such that it is held away from the container portion. As shown generally in FIG.
10, the package assembly
100 may thus be used to disperse a plurality of particles
300 (such as a seed sample aliquot) that have been segregated and contained within the
container portion
110 of the package assembly
100 of the present invention.
[0038] It should be noted that although the depicted embodiments show a method in which
portions of a package assembly are at least partially separated by applying several
forces to the package assembly (i.e., applying a compressive force to opposing sides
of the package assembly, inserting an opening tool between portions of the package
assembly, and applying an approximately normal force to a flange defined in one portion
of the package assembly), in other embodiments a package assembly may be at least
partially separated by applying any one force to the package assembly or any combination
of forces to the package assembly. Additionally, although the depicted embodiments
show a method in which portions of a package assembly are at least partially separated
by applying several forces to the package assembly as the package assembly moves along
a package assembly handling path, in other embodiments any one force may be applied
to the package assembly or any combination of forces may be applied to the package
assembly without requiring the package assembly to move along a package assembly handling
path. That is, in other embodiments any one force or any combination of forces adapted
to at least partially separate portions of a package assembly may act on an unmoving
package assembly.
[0039] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one
skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it
is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments
disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein,
they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
1. A method of handling a package assembly (100) comprising first (110) and second (130)
portions which cooperate to contain the contents, said method comprising:
receiving the package assembly (100) in a package assembly handling device (50); and
applying a force to the package assembly (100) using the package assembly handling
device (50) so that the first (110) and second (130) portions at least partially separate
in response to the force, characterized in that the step of applying a force to the package assembly (100) comprises at least one
of applying a compressive force to opposing sides (112, 114) of the package assembly
(100) to flex the second portion (130) outwardly from the first portion (110) about
a flexure axis (142) such as to allow re-use of the package assembly (100) or inserting
an opening tool (76) between the first (110) and second (130) portions of the package
assembly (100) such as to allow re-use of the package assembly (100), and in that the package assembly (100) contains a particulate aliquot and in that the application of the force releases at least a portion of the particulate aliquot.
2. The method of handling a package assembly (100) according to Claim 1, wherein the
step of applying a force to the package assembly (100) using the package assembly
handling device (50) comprises applying a force approximately normal to a plane defined
by a flange portion (119, 132) of the package assembly (100).
3. The method of handling a package assembly (100) according to Claim 1, wherein the
step of applying a compressive force to the package assembly (100) causes at least
one of the first (110) or second (130) portions to flex outwardly from the other portion
about a flexure axis (142) so that the first (110) and second (130) portions at least
partially separate in response to the force, thus releasing at least a portion of
the particulate aliquot, desirably further comprising inserting an opening tool (76)
into an aperture defined by at least one of a pair of opposing concave portions (135)
located on a flange portion (119, 132) of the package assembly (100) for encouraging
at least one of the first (110) or second (130) portions to flex outwardly from the
other portion about the flexure axis (142) so that the first (110) and second (130)
portions separate, more desirably either
(a) wherein the step of inserting the opening tool (76) into the aperture comprises
inserting an opening tool (76) into an aperture defined by at least one of a pair
of opposing concave portions (135) located on a first flange portion (119) of the
package assembly (100) and at least one corresponding concave portion (135) located
on a second flange portion (132) of the package assembly (100) and adapted to substantially
align with at least one of the pair of opposing concave portions (135) when the first
(110) and second (130) portions are closed, or
(b) further comprising applying second force to the package assembly (100), approximately
normal to a plane defined by the flange portion (119, 132), for encouraging the first
(110) and second (130) portions to separate, desirably wherein the step of applying
a second force comprises actuating a disengaging tool (73) through a notch portion
(153) defined in one of first (119) and second (132) flange portions of the package
assembly (100) to exert a force against the other of the first (119) and second (132)
flange portions for encouraging the first (110) and second (130) portions of the package
assembly (100) to separate, or
(c) wherein the step of inserting an opening tool (76) into an aperture defined by
at least one of a pair of concave portions (135) located on a flange portion (119,
132) of the package assembly (100) comprises moving the package assembly (100) along
a package assembly handling path defined by a pair of opposing guide rails (56, 57)
using a pusher assembly (60) so that the aperture of the package assembly (100) contacts
an opening tool (76), desirably wherein the first (110) and second (130) portions
of the package assembly (100) are joined at one end by a hinge (150), and wherein
the method further comprises deflecting one of the first (110) or second (130) portions
of the package assembly (100) with the opening tool (76) when the first (110) and
second (130) portions separate so that the package assembly (100) at least temporarily
remains in an open position.
4. The method of handling a package assembly (100) according to Claim 1, wherein the
step of applying a compressive force to the package assembly (100) comprises moving
the package assembly (100) along a package assembly handling path defined by a pair
of opposing guide rails (56, 57) using a pusher assembly (60), wherein the package
assembly (100) passes adjacent a pinch area (75) defined in at least one of the guide
rails (56, 57), and wherein the pinch area (75) is configured to deflect at least
one of opposing sides (112, 114) of the package assembly (100), desirably wherein
the pinch area (75) is defined by one of the group consisting of: a geometry of at
least one of the guide rails (56, 57) configured such that the guide rails (56, 57)
converge as the package assembly (100) moves along the package assembly handling path;
one or more pinch rollers defined in at least one of the guide rails (56, 57) and
configured to deflect at least one of opposing sides (112, 114) of the package assembly
(100) as the package assembly (100) moves along the package assembly handling path;
an actuated section of at least one of the guide rails (56, 57) configured to move
inward so as to deflect at least one of opposing sides (112, 114) of the package assembly
(100); at least one adjustable insert or section located in one or both guide rails
(56, 57) configured to deflect at least one of opposing sides (112, 114) of the package
assembly (100), the insert or section being configured to adjust the amount of the
compression force applied to the package assembly (100); and combinations thereof.
5. The method of handling a package assembly (100) according to Claim 1, further comprising
identifying a package assembly label (101) comprising a indicia of the aliquot using
a machine reader device (40), desirably wherein the machine reader device (40) comprises
a device selected from the group consisting of:
a bar code reader;
an RFID reader; and
combinations thereof.
6. The method of handling a package assembly (100) according to Claim 1, wherein the
step of receiving the package assembly (100) comprises receiving a closed package
assembly (100) in an inverted orientation wherein the first portion (110) comprises
a container portion and the second portion (130) comprises a cover portion (130),
the cover portion being disposed below the container portion (110), and wherein when
the cover portion (130) separates from the container portion (110), at least a portion
of the particulate aliquot is released from the package assembly (100).
7. The method of handling a package assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein receiving
the package assembly (100) comprises receiving a closed package assembly (100) comprising
a container portion (110) defining an opening (120) and a cover portion (130) configured
to cooperate with the container portion (110) to selectively close the opening (120)
in an inverted orientation wherein the cover portion (130) of the package assembly
(100) is disposed below the container portion (110);
wherein applying a force to the package assembly comprises applying a compression
force to opposing sides (112, 114) of the package assembly (100) using the package
assembly handling device (50) by moving the package assembly (100) along a package
assembly handling path defined by a pair of opposing guide rails (56, 57) with a pusher
assembly (60) so that the package assembly (100) passes adjacent a pinch area (75)
defined in one of the guide rails (56, 57), and wherein one of the opposing sides
(112, 114) of the package assembly (100) is deflected by the pinch area (75), thus
compressing the package assembly (100) between the pinch area (75) and the other of
the guide rails (56, 57) so as to cause the cover portion (130) to flex outwardly
from the container portion (110); and
further comprising inserting an opening tool (76) into an aperture defined by at least
one of a pair of opposing concave portions (135) located on a flange portion (119,
132) of the package assembly (100) and applying an additional force to the package
assembly (100) with a disengaging tool (73), approximately normal to a plane defined
by the cover portion (130), for encouraging the cover portion (130) to flex outwardly
from the container portion (110) about a flexure axis (142) so that the cover portion
(130) separates from the container portion (110) and at least a portion of the particulate
aliquot is released from the package assembly (100).
8. A package assembly handling system and a package assembly (100), the package assembly
comprising first (110) and second (130) portions that cooperate to contain contents,
the handling system comprising:
a package assembly handling device (50) configured for applying a force to the package
assembly (100) so that the first (110) and second (130) portions at least partially
separate, characterized in that the apparatus is configured to apply the force by at least one of applying a compressive
force to opposing sides (112, 114) of the package assembly (100) to flex the second
portion (130) outwardly from the first portion (110) about a flexure axis (142) such
as to allow re-use of the package assembly (100) or inserting an opening tool (76)
between the first (110) and second (130) portions of the package assembly (100) such
as to allow re-use of the package assembly (100), and in that the first (110) and second (130) portions cooperate to contain a particulate aliquot
and in that the applying a force releases at least a portion of the particulate aliquot.
9. The package assembly handling system according to Claim 8, wherein the force comprises
a compressive force, desirably wherein the compressive force causes at least one of
the first (110) or second (130) portions to flex outwardly from the other portion
about a flexure axis (142) so that the first (110) and second (130) portions at least
partially separate in response to the force, thus releasing at least a portion of
the particulate aliquot, desirably further comprising an opening tool (76) configured
for inserting into an aperture defined by at least one of a pair of opposing concave
portions (135) located on a flange portion (119, 132) of the package assembly (100),
for encouraging at least one of the first (110) or second (130) portions to flex outwardly
from the other portion about the flexure axis (142) so that the first (110) and second
(130) portions separate, more desirably either
(a) further comprising a disengaging tool (73) configured for applying a second force
to the package assembly (100), approximately normal to a plane defined by the flange
portion (119, 132), for encouraging the first (110) and second (130) portions to separate,
or
(b) further comprising a pusher assembly (60) and a pair of guide rails (56, 57) defining
a package assembly handling path, and wherein the pusher assembly (60) is configured
for moving the package assembly (100) along the package handling path so that the
aperture of the package assembly (100) contacts a leading end (80) defined by the
opening tool (76), desirably wherein the first (110) and second (130) portions of
the package assembly (100) are joined at one end by a hinge (150), and wherein the
opening tool (76) further defines a deflecting arm (82) configured to deflect one
of the first (110) or second (130) portions of the package assembly (110) when the
first (110) and second (130) portions separate so that the package assembly (100)
at least temporarily remains in an open position.
10. The package assembly handling system according to Claim 8, wherein the force comprises
inserting a opening tool (76) between the first (110) and second (130) portions of
the package assembly (100).
11. The package assembly handling system according to Claim 8, wherein the force comprises
a force approximately normal to a plane defined by a flange portion (119, 132) of
the package assembly (100).
12. The package assembly handling system according to Claim 8, further comprising a pusher
assembly (60), a pair of guide rails (56, 57) defining a package assembly handling
path, and a pinch area (75) defined in at least one of the guide rails (56, 57) and
substantially along the package assembly handling path, wherein the pusher assembly
(60) is configured for moving the package assembly (100) along the package assembly
handling path adjacent the pinch area (75), and wherein the pinch area (75) is configured
for depressing at least one of opposing sides (112, 114) of the package assembly (100),
desirably wherein the pinch area (75) is defined by one of the group consisting of:
a geometry of at least one of the guide rails (56, 57) configured such that the guide
rails (56, 57) converge as the package assembly (100) moves along the package assembly
handling path;
one or more pinch rollers defined in at least one of the guide rails (56, 57) and
configured to deflect at least one of opposing sides (112, 114) of the package assembly
(100) as the package assembly (100) moves along the package assembly handling path;
an actuated section of at least one of the guide rails (56, 57) configured to move
inward so as to deflect at least one of opposing sides (112, 114) of the package assembly
(100); and
combinations thereof.
13. The package assembly handling system according to Claim 8, further comprising a machine
reader device (40) configured for identifying a package assembly label (101) comprising
indicia of the aliquot, desirably wherein the machine reader device (40) comprises
a device selected from the group consisting of:
a bar code reader;
an RFID reader; and
combinations thereof.
1. Verfahren zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit (100), die einen ersten (110) und
einen zweiten Abschnitt (130) aufweist, die zusammenwirken, um den Inhalt aufzunehmen,
wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte aufweist:
Aufnehmen der Verpackungseinheit (100) in einer Handhabungsvorrichtung (50) für die
Verpackungseinheit; und
Anwenden einer Kraft auf die Verpackungseinheit (100) bei Benutzung der Handhabungsvorrichtung
(50) für die Verpackungseinheit, so dass sich der erste (110) und der zweite Abschnitt
(130) mindestens teilweise als Reaktion auf die Kraft trennen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Anwendens einer Kraft auf die Verpackungseinheit (100) aufweist:
mindestens einen Schritt des Anwendens einer Druckkraft auf gegenüberliegende Seiten
(112, 114) der Verpackungseinheit (100), um den zweiten Abschnitt (130) nach außen
vom ersten Abschnitt (110) um eine Biegeachse (142) so zu biegen, dass eine Wiederverwendung
der Verpackungseinheit (100) gestattet wird; oder des Einsetzens eines Öffnungswerkzeuges
(76) zwischen den ersten (110) und den zweiten Abschnitt (130) der Verpackungseinheit
(100), um so die Wiederverwendung der Verpackungseinheit (100) zu gestatten, und dadurch,
dass die Verpackungseinheit (100) eine teilchenförmiges Aliquote enthält, und dadurch,
dass die Anwendung der Kraft mindestens einen Teil der teilchenförmigen Aliquote freigibt.
2. Verfahren zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit (100) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der
Schritt des Anwendens einer Kraft auf die Verpackungseinheit (100) bei Benutzung der
Handhabungsvorrichtung (50) für die Verpackungseinheit das Anwenden einer Kraft annähernd
senkrecht zu einer Ebene aufweist, die durch einen Flanschabschnitt (119, 132) der
Verpackungseinheit (100) definiert wird.
3. Verfahren zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit (100) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der
Schritt des Anwendens einer Druckkraft auf die Verpackungseinheit (100) bewirkt, dass
sich mindestens einer von erstem (110) oder zweitem Abschnitt (130) vom anderen Abschnitt
um eine Biegeachse (142) so nach außen biegt, dass sich der erste (110) und der zweite
Abschnitt (130) als Reaktion auf die Kraft mindestens teilweise trennen, wodurch mindestens
ein Teil der teilchenförmigen Aliquote freigegeben wird, wobei es außerdem wünschenswerterweise
das Einsetzen eines Öffnungswerkzeuges (76) in eine Öffnung aufweist, die durch mindestens
einen von einem Paar von gegenüberliegenden konkaven Abschnitten (135) definiert wird,
die an einem Flanschabschnitt (119, 132) der Verpackungseinheit (100) angeordnet sind,
damit mindestens einer von erstem (110) oder zweitem Abschnitt (130) darin unterstützt
wird, sich vom anderen Abschnitt um die Biegeachse (142) so nach außen zu biegen,
dass sich der erste (110) und zweite Abschnitt (130) trennen, wobei noch wünschenswerter
entweder
(a) der Schritt des Einsetzens des Öffnungswerkzeuges (76) in die Öffnung den Schritt
des Einsetzens eines Öffnungswerkzeuges (76) in eine Öffnung aufweist, die durch mindestens
einen von einem Paar gegenüberliegender konkaver Abschnitte (135), die an einem ersten
Flanschabschnitt (119) der Verpackungseinheit (100) angeordnet sind, und mindestens
einem entsprechenden konkaven Abschnitt (135), der an einem zweiten Flanschabschnitt
(132) der Verpackungseinheit (100) angeordnet ist, definiert wird, und so ausgebildet
ist, um sich im Wesentlichen mit mindestens einem des Paares der gegenüberliegenden
konkaven Abschnitte (135) auszurichten, wenn der erste (110) und der zweite Abschnitt
(130) geschlossen werden, oder
(b) es außerdem den Schritt des Anwendens einer zweiten Kraft auf die Verpackungseinheit
(100) aufweist, annähernd senkrecht zu einer Ebene, die durch den Flanschabschnitt
(119, 132) definiert wird, um zu unterstützen, dass sich der erste (110) und der zweite
Abschnitt (130) trennen, wobei wünschenswerter Weise der Schritt des Anwendens einer
zweiten Kraft den Schritt des Betätigens eines Trennwerkzeuges (73) mittels eines
Kerbenabschnittes (153) aufweist, der in einem von erstem (119) und zweitem Flanschabschnitt
(132) der Verpackungseinheit (100) definiert wird, um eine Kraft gegen den anderen
von erstem (119) und zweitem Flanschabschnitt (132) auszuüben, um die Trennung des
ersten (110) und des zweiten Abschnittes (130) der Verpackungseinheit (100) zu unterstützen,
oder
(c) wobei der Schritt des Einsetzens eines Öffnungswerkzeuges (76) in eine Öffnung,
die durch mindestens einen von einem Paar von konkaven Abschnitten (135) definiert
wird, die auf einem Flanschabschnitt (119, 132) der Verpackungseinheit (100) angeordnet
sind, den Schritt des Bewegens der Verpackungseinheit (100) längs eines Transportweges
der Verpackungseinheit aufweist, der durch ein Paar gegenüberliegende Führungsschienen
(56, 57) definiert wird, wobei eine Drückerbaugruppe (60) benutzt wird, so dass die
Öffnung der Verpackungseinheit (100) ein Öffnungswerkzeug (76) berührt, wobei wünschenswerterweise
der erste (110) und der zweite Abschnitt (130) der Verpackungseinheit (100) an einem
Ende mittels eines Gelenkes (150) verbunden werden, und wobei das Verfahren außerdem
den Schritt des Ablenkens eines von erstem (110) oder zweitem Abschnitt (130) der
Verpackungseinheit (100) mit dem Öffnungswerkzeug (76) aufweist, wenn sich der erste
(110) und der zweite Abschnitt (130) trennen, so dass die Verpackungseinheit (100)
mindestens vorübergehend in einer offenen Position bleibt.
4. Verfahren zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit (100) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der
Schritt des Anwendens einer Druckkraft auf die Verpackungseinheit (100) den Schritt
des Bewegens der Verpackungseinheit (100) längs eines Transportweges der Verpackungseinheit
aufweist, der durch ein Paar gegenüberliegende Führungsschienen (56, 57) definiert
wird, wobei eine Drückerbaugruppe (60) benutzt wird, wobei die Verpackungseinheit
(100) angrenzend an einen Quetschbereich (75) passiert, der in mindestens einer der
Führungsschienen (56, 57) definiert wird, und wobei der Quetschbereich (75) ausgebildet
ist, um mindestens eine der gegenüberliegenden Seiten (112, 114) der Verpackungseinheit
(100) abzulenken, wobei wünschenswerterweise der Quetschbereich (75) durch eines aus
der Gruppe definiert wird, die besteht aus: einer Geometrie von mindestens einer der
Führungsschienen (56, 57), die so ausgebildet ist, dass die Führungsschienen (56,
57) konvergieren, während sich die Verpackungseinheit (100) längs des Transportweges
der Verpackungseinheit bewegt; einer oder mehreren Andrückrollen, die in mindestens
einer der Führungsschienen (56, 57) definiert werden und ausgebildet sind, um mindestens
eine der gegenüberliegenden Seiten (112, 114) der Verpackungseinheit (100) abzulenken,
während sich die Verpackungseinheit (100) längs des Transportweges der Verpackungseinheit
bewegt; einem angetriebenen Abschnitt von mindestens einer der Führungsschienen (56,
57), der ausgebildet ist, um sich nach innen zu bewegen, um so mindestens eine der
gegenüberliegenden Seiten (112, 114) der Verpackungseinheit (100) abzulenken; mindestens
einen einstellbaren Einsatz oder Abschnitt, der in einer oder beiden Führungsschienen
(56, 57) angeordnet und ausgebildet ist, um mindestens eine der gegenüberliegenden
Seiten (112, 114) der Verpackungseinheit (100) abzulenken, wobei der Einsatz oder
Abschnitt ausgebildet ist, um die Größe der Druckkraft einzustellen, die auf die Verpackungseinheit
(100) angewendet wird; und Kombinationen davon.
5. Verfahren zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit (100) nach Anspruch 1, das außerdem
den Schritt des Identifizierens eines Verpackungseinheitsetiketts (101) aufweist,
das eine Kennzeichnung der Aliquote aufweist bei Benutzung eines Maschinenlesegerätes
(40), wobei wünschenswerterweise das Maschinenlesegerät (40) ein Gerät aufweist, das
aus der Gruppe ausgewählt wird, die besteht aus:
einem Strichcodelesegerät;
einem RFID-Lesegerät; und
Kombinationen davon.
6. Verfahren zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit (100) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der
Schritt des Aufnehmens der Verpackungseinheit (100) den Schritt des Aufnehmens einer
geschlossenen Verpackungseinheit (100) in einer umgekehrten Ausrichtung aufweist,
wobei der erste Abschnitt (110) einen Behälterabschnitt und der zweite Abschnitt (130)
einen Deckelabschnitt (130) aufweist, wobei der Deckelabschnitt unterhalb des Behälterabschnittes
(110) angeordnet ist, und wobei, wenn sich der Deckelabschnitt (130) vom Behälterabschnitt
(110) trennt, mindestens ein Teil der teilchenförmigen Aliquote aus der Verpackungseinheit
(100) freigegeben wird.
7. Verfahren zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit (100) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der
Schritt des Aufnehmens der Verpackungseinheit (100) den Schritt des Aufnehmens einer
geschlossenen Verpackungseinheit (100) aufweist, die einen Behälterabschnitt (110),
der eine Öffnung (120) definiert, und einen Deckelabschnitt ((130) aufweist, der ausgebildet
ist, um mit dem Behälterabschnitt (110) zusammenzuwirken, um selektiv die Öffnung
(120) in einer umgekehrten Ausrichtung zu schließen, wobei der Deckelabschnitt (130)
der Verpackungseinheit (100) unterhalb des Behälterabschnittes (110) angeordnet ist;
wobei der Schritt des Anwendens einer Kraft auf die Verpackungseinheit den Schritt
des Anwendens einer Druckkraft auf die gegenüberliegenden Seiten (112, 114) der Verpackungseinheit
(100) bei Benutzung der Handhabungsvorrichtung (50) für die Verpackungseinheit aufweist,
indem die Verpackungseinheit (100) längs eines Transportweges der Verpackungseinheit,
der durch ein Paar gegenüberliegende Führungsschienen (56, 57) definiert wird, mit
einer Drückerbaugruppe (60) bewegt wird, so dass die Verpackungseinheit (100) angrenzend
an einen Quetschbereich (75) passiert, der in einer der Führungsschienen (56, 57)
definiert wird, und wobei eine der gegenüberliegenden Seiten (112, 114) der Verpackungseinheit
(100) durch den Quetschbereich (75) abgelenkt wird, wodurch die Verpackungseinheit
(100) zwischen dem Quetschbereich (75) und der anderen der Führungsschienen (56, 57)
zusammengedrückt wird, um so zu bewirken, dass sich der Deckelabschnitt (130) vom
Behälterabschnitt (110) nach außen biegt; und
das außerdem die Schritte des Einsetzens eines Öffnungswerkzeuges (76) in eine Öffnung,
die durch mindestens einen von einem Paar von gegenüberliegenden konkaven Abschnitten
(135) definiert wird, die auf einem Flanschabschnitt (119, 132) der Verpackungseinheit
(100) angeordnet sind, und des Anwendens einer zusätzlichen Kraft auf die Verpackungseinheit
(100) mit einem Trennwerkzeug (73) annähernd senkrecht zu einer Ebene aufweist, die
durch den Deckelabschnitt (130) definiert wird, um zu unterstützen, dass sich der
Deckelabschnitt (130) vom Behälterabschnitt (110) um eine Biegeachse (142) nach außen
biegt, so dass sich der Deckelabschnitt (130) vom Behälterabschnitt (110) trennt und
mindestens ein Teil der teilchenförmigen Aliquote aus der Verpackungseinheit (100)
freigegeben wird.
8. System zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit und eine Verpackungseinheit (100),
wobei die Verpackungseinheit einen ersten (110) und einen zweiten Abschnitt (130)
aufweist, die zusammenwirken, um den Inhalt aufzunehmen,
wobei das Handhabungssystem aufweist:
eine Handhabungsvorrichtung (50) für die Verpackungseinheit, die für das Aufwenden
einer Kraft auf die Verpackungseinheit (100) ausgebildet ist, so dass sich der erste
(110) und der zweite Abschnitt (130) mindestens teilweise trennen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung ausgebildet ist, um die Kraft durch mindestens einen der folgenden
Schritte anzuwenden: Anwenden einer Druckkraft auf gegenüberliegende Seiten (112,
114) der Verpackungseinheit (100), um den zweiten Abschnitt (130) nach außen vom ersten
Abschnitt (110) um eine Biegeachse (142) so zu biegen, dass eine Wiederverwendung
der Verpackungseinheit (100) gestattet wird; oder Einsetzen eines Öffnungswerkzeuges
(76) zwischen den ersten (110) und den zweiten Abschnitt (130) der Verpackungseinheit
(100), um so die Wiederverwendung der Verpackungseinheit (100) zu gestatten, und dadurch,
dass der erste (110) und der zweite Abschnitt (130) zusammenwirken, um eine teilchenförmiges
Aliquote aufzunehmen, und dadurch, dass die Anwendung einer Kraft mindestens einen
Teil der teilchenförmigen Aliquote freigibt.
9. System zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 8, bei dem die Kraft
eine Druckkraft aufweist, wobei wünschenswerterweise die Druckkraft bewirkt, dass
sich mindestens einer von erstem (110) oder zweitem Abschnitt (130) vom anderen Abschnitt
um eine Biegeachse (142) so nach außen biegt, dass sich der erste (110) und der zweite
Abschnitt (130) als Reaktion auf die Kraft mindestens teilweise trennen, wodurch mindestens
ein Teil der teilchenförmigen Aliquote freigegeben wird, wobei es außerdem wünschenswerterweise
ein Öffnungswerkzeug (76) aufweist, das für ein Einsetzen in eine Öffnung ausgebildet
ist, die durch mindestens einen von einem Paar von gegenüberliegenden konkaven Abschnitten
(135) definiert wird, die an einem Flanschabschnitt (119, 132) der Verpackungseinheit
(100) angeordnet sind, damit mindestens einer von erstem (110) oder zweitem Abschnitt
(130) darin unterstützt wird, sich vom anderen Abschnitt um die Biegeachse (142) so
nach außen zu biegen, dass sich der erste (110) und zweite Abschnitt (130) trennen,
wobei es noch wünschenswerter entweder
(a) außerdem ein Trennwerkzeug (73) aufweist, das für ein Anwenden einer zweiten Kraft
auf die Verpackungseinheit (100) annähernd senkrecht zu einer Ebene ausgebildet ist,
die durch den Flanschabschnitt (119, 132) definiert wird, um das Trennen des ersten
(110) und des zweiten Abschnittes (130) zu unterstützen, oder
(b) außerdem eine Drückerbaugruppe (60) und ein Paar Führungsschienen (56, 57) aufweist,
die einen Transportweg der Verpackungseinheit definieren, und wobei die Drückerbaugruppe
(60) für ein Bewegen der Verpackungseinheit (100) entlang des Transportweges der Verpackung
ausgebildet ist, so dass die Öffnung der Verpackungseinheit (100) ein vorderes Ende
(80) berührt, das durch das Öffnungswerkzeug (76) definiert wird, wobei wünschenswerterweise
der erste (110) und der zweite Abschnitt (130) der Verpackungseinheit (100) an einem
Ende mittels eines Gelenkes (150) verbunden werden, und wobei das Öffnungswerkzeug
(76) außerdem einen Ablenkarm (82) definiert, der ausgebildet ist, um einen von erstem
(110) oder zweitem Abschnitt (130) der Verpackungseinheit (100) abzulenken, wenn sich
der erste (110) und der zweite Abschnitt (130) trennen, so dass die Verpackungseinheit
(100) mindestens vorübergehend in einer offenen Position verbleibt.
10. System zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 8, bei dem die Kraftanwendung
das Einsetzen eines Öffnungswerkzeuges (76) zwischen den ersten (110) und den zweiten
Abschnitt (130) der Verpackungseinheit (100) aufweist.
11. System zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 8, bei dem die Kraftanwendung
eine Kraft annähernd senkrecht zu einer Ebene aufweist, die durch einen Flanschabschnitt
(119, 132) der Verpackungseinheit (100) definiert wird.
12. System zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 8, das außerdem aufweist:
eine Drückerbaugruppe (60); ein Paar Führungsschienen (56, 57), die einen Transportweg
der Verpackungseinheit definieren; und einen Quetschbereich (75), der in mindestens
einer der Führungsschienen (56, 57) und im Wesentlichen längs des Transportweges der
Verpackungseinheit definiert wird, wobei die Drückerbaugruppe (60) für ein Bewegen
der Verpackungseinheit (100) längs des Transportweges der Verpackungseinheit angrenzend
an den Quetschbereich (75) ausgebildet ist, und wobei der Quetschbereich (75) für
das Niederdrücken von mindestens einer der gegenüberliegenden Seiten (112, 114) der
Verpackungseinheit (100) ausgebildet ist, wobei wünschenswerterweise der Quetschbereich
(75) durch einen aus der Gruppe definiert wird, die besteht aus:
einer Geometrie von mindestens einer der Führungsschienen (56, 57), die so ausgebildet
ist, dass die Führungsschienen (56, 57) konvergieren, während sich die Verpackungseinheit
(100) längs des Transportweges der Verpackungseinheit bewegt;
einer oder mehreren Andrückrollen, die in mindestens einer der Führungsschienen (56,
57) definiert werden und ausgebildet sind, um mindestens eine der gegenüberliegenden
Seiten (112, 114) der Verpackungseinheit (100) abzulenken, während sich die Verpackungseinheit
(100) längs des Transportweges der Verpackungseinheit bewegt;
einem angetriebenen Abschnitt von mindestens einer der Führungsschienen (56, 57),
der ausgebildet ist, um sich nach innen zu bewegen, um so mindestens eine der gegenüberliegenden
Seiten (112, 114) der Verpackungseinheit (100) abzulenken; und Kombinationen davon.
13. System zur Handhabung einer Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 8, das außerdem ein Maschinenlesegerät
(40) aufweist, das für das Identifizieren eines Verpackungseinheitsetiketts (101)
ausgebildet ist, das eine Kennzeichnung der Aliquote aufweist, wobei wünschenswerterweise
das Maschinenlesegerät (40) ein Gerät aufweist, das aus der Gruppe ausgewählt wird,
die besteht aus:
einem Strichcodelesegerät;
einem RFID-Lesegerät; und
Kombinationen davon.
1. Procédé de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage (100), comprenant des première
(110) et deuxième (130) parties, coopérant pour contenir le contenu, ledit procédé
comprenant les étapes ci-dessous :
réception de l'assemblage d'emballage (100) dans un dispositif de manutention de l'assemblage
d'emballage (50) ; et
application d'une force à l'assemblage d'emballage (100) par l'intermédiaire du dispositif
de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage (50), de sorte que les première (10) et
deuxième (130) parties sont séparées au moins partiellement en réponse à la force,
caractérisé en ce que l'étape d'application d'une force à l'assemblage d'emballage comprend au moins une
des étapes suivantes : une étape d'application d'une force de compression aux côtés
opposés (112, 114) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100), pour fléchir la deuxième partie
(130) vers l'extérieur de la première partie (100) autour d'un axe de flexion (142),
pour permettre une réutilisation de l'assemblage d'emballage (100), ou une étape d'insertion
d'un outil d'ouverture (76) entre les première (110) et deuxième (130) parties de
l'assemblage d'emballage (100), de sorte à permettre une réutilisation de l'assemblage
d'emballage (100), et en ce que l'assemblage d'emballage contient une aliquote particulaire, l'application de la
force libérant au moins une partie de l'aliquote particulaire.
2. Procédé de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage (100) selon la revendication 1,
dans lequel l'étape d'application d'une force à l'assemblage d'emballage (100) par
l'intermédiaire du dispositif de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage (50) comprend
l'étape d'application d'une force pratiquement perpendiculaire à un plan défini par
une partie de bride (119, 132) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100).
3. Procédé de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage (100) selon la revendication 1,
dans lequel l'étape d'application d'une force de compression à l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) entraîne le fléchissement d'au moins une des première (110) ou deuxième (130)
parties vers l'extérieur de l'autre partie, autour d'un axe de flexion (142), de sorte
que les première (110) et deuxième (130) parties sont séparées au moins partiellement
en réponse à la force, libérant ainsi au moins une partie de l'aliquote particulaire,
et comprenant de préférence en outre l'étape d'insertion d'un outil d'ouverture (76)
dans une ouverture définie par au moins une partie d'une paire de parties concaves
opposées (135), agencées sur une partie de bride (119, 132) de l'assemblage d'emballage
(100), pour entraîner le fléchissement d'au moins une des première (110) ou deuxième
parties (130) vers l'extérieur de l'autre partie, autour de l'axe de flexion (142),
de sorte que les première (110) et deuxième parties (130) sont séparées, et de préférence
:
(a) dans lequel l'étape d'insertion de l'outil d'ouverture (76) dans l'ouverture comprend
l'insertion d'un outil d'ouverture (76) dans une ouverture définie par au moins une
partie d'une paire de parties concaves opposées (135) agencées sur une première partie
de bride (119) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100), et au moins une partie concave correspondante
(135), agencée sur une deuxième partie de bride (132) de l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) et adaptée pour être alignée pratiquement avec au moins une partie de la paire
de parties concaves opposées (135) lorsque les première (110) et deuxième (130) parties
sont fermées ; ou
(b) comprenant en outre l'étape d'application d'une deuxième force à l'assemblage
d'emballage (100), pratiquement perpendiculaire à un plan défini par la partie de
bride (119, 132), pour faciliter la séparation des première (110) et deuxième (130)
parties, l'étape d'application d'une deuxième force comprenant de préférence l'actionnement
d'un outil de dégagement (73) à travers une partie d'encoche (153) définie dans l'une
des première (119) et deuxième (132) parties de bride de l'assemblage d'emballage
(100), pour exercer une force contre l'autre des première (119) et deuxième (132)
parties de bride, afin de faciliter la séparation des première (110) et deuxième (130)
parties de l'assemblage d'emballage, ou
(c) dans lequel l'étape d'insertion d'un outil d'ouverture (76) dans une ouverture
définie par au moins une partie d'une paire de parties concaves (135), agencées sur
une partie de bride (119, 132) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100), comprend le déplacement
de l'assemblage d'emballage (100) le long d'un trajet de manutention de l'assemblage
d'emballage, défini par une paire de rails de guidage opposés (56, 57), par l'intermédiaire
d'un assemblage de poussée (60), de sorte que l'ouverture de l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) contacte un outil d'ouverture (76), les première (110) et deuxième (130) parties
de l'assemblage d'emballage (100) étant de préférence reliées au niveau d'une extrémité
par une charnière (150), le procédé comprenant en outre l'étape de fléchissement de
l'une des première (110) ou deuxième (130) parties de l'assemblage d'emballage (100)
par l'intermédiaire de l'outil d'ouverture (76) lors de la séparation des première
(110) et deuxième (130) parties, de sorte que l'assemblage d'emballage (100) reste
au moins temporairement dans une position ouverte.
4. Procédé de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage (100) selon la revendication 1,
dans lequel l'étape d'application d'une force de compression à l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) comprend le déplacement de l'assemblage d'emballage (100) le long d'un trajet
de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage, défini par une paire de rails de guidage
opposés (56, 57), par l'intermédiaire d'un assemblage de poussée (60), l'assemblage
d'emballage (100) passant près d'une zone de serrage (75) définie dans au moins un
des rails de guidage (56, 57), la zone de serrage (75) étant configurée de sorte à
fléchir au moins un des côtés opposés (112, 114) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100),
la zone de serrage (75) étant de préférence définie par un élément du groupe constitué
de : une forme géométrique d'au moins un des rails de guidage (56, 57), configurée
de sorte que les rails de guidage (56, 57) convergent lors du déplacement de l'assemblage
d'emballage (100) le long du trajet de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage ; un
ou plusieurs rouleaux presseurs définis dans au moins un des rails de guidage (56,
57) et configurés de sorte à fléchir au moins un des côtés opposés (112, 114) de l'assemblage
d'emballage (100) lors du déplacement de l'assemblage d'emballage (100) le long du
trajet de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage ; une section à actionnement d'au
moins un des rails de guidage (56, 57) configurée de sorte à se déplacer vers l'intérieur,
de sorte à fléchir au moins un des côtés opposés (112, 114) de l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) ; au moins un insert ou une section ajustable, agencé(e) dans l'un ou dans les
deux rails de guidage (56, 57), configuré de sorte à fléchir au moins un des côtés
opposés (112, 114) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100), l'insert ou la section étant
destiné à ajuster la valeur de la force de compression appliquée à l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) ; et des combinaisons de ces éléments.
5. Procédé de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage (100) selon la revendication 1,
comprenant en outre l'étape d'identification d'une étiquette de l'assemblage d'emballage
(101), comprenant des repères de l'aliquote, par l'intermédiaire d'un dispositif de
lecture automatique (40), le dispositif de lecture automatique (40) comprenant de
préférence un dispositif sélectionné dans le groupe constitué de :
un lecteur de code à barres ;
un lecteur RFID ; et
des combinaisons de ces dispositifs.
6. Procédé de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage (100) selon la revendication 1,
dans lequel l'étape de réception de l'assemblage d'emballage (100) comprend la réception
d'un assemblage d'emballage fermé (100) dans une orientation inversée, la première
partie (110) comprenant une partie de contenant et la deuxième partie (130) comprenant
une partie de couvercle (130), la partie de couvercle étant agencée au-dessous de
la partie de contenant (110), la séparation de la partie de couvercle (130) de la
partie de contenant (110) entraînant la libération d'au moins une partie de l'aliquote
particulaire de l'assemblage d'emballage (100).
7. Procédé de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage (100) selon la revendication 1,
dans lequel l'étape de réception de l'assemblage d'emballage (100) comprend la réception
d'un assemblage d'emballage fermé (100), comprenant une partie de contenant (100)
définissant une ouverture (120), et une partie de couvercle (130), configurée de sorte
à coopérer avec la partie de contenant (110) pour fermer sélectivement l'ouverture
(120) dans une orientation inversée, la partie de couvercle (130) de l'assemblage
d'emballage (100) étant agencée au-dessous de la partie de contenant (110) ;
l'étape d'application d'une force à l'assemblage d'emballage comprenant l'application
d'une force de compression aux côtés opposés (112, 114) de l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) par l'intermédiaire du dispositif de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage
(50), en déplaçant l'assemblage d'emballage (100) le long d'un trajet de manutention
de l'assemblage d'emballage, défini par une paire de rails de guidage opposés (56,
57), par l'intermédiaire d'un assemblage de poussée (60), de sorte que l'assemblage
d'emballage (100) passe près d'une zone de serrage (75) définie dans un des rails
de guidage (56, 57), un des côtés opposés (112, 114) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100)
étant fléchi par la zone de serrage (75), comprimant ainsi l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) entre la zone de serrage (75) et l'autre des rails de guidage (56, 57), de sorte
à entraîner un fléchissement de la partie de couvercle (130) vers l'extérieur de partie
de contenant (110) ; et
comprenant en outre les étapes d'insertion d'un outil d'ouverture (76) dans une ouverture
définie par au moins une partie d'une paire de parties concaves opposées (135), agencées
sur une partie de bride (119, 132) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100), et d'application
d'une force additionnelle à l'assemblage d'emballage (100) par un outil de dégagement
(73), pratiquement perpendiculaire à un plan défini par la partie de couvercle (130),
pour entraîner le fléchissement de la partie de couvercle (130) vers l'extérieur de
la partie de contenant (100), autour d'un axe de flexion (142), de sorte que la partie
de couvercle (130) est séparée de la partie de contenant (110), au moins une partie
de l'aliquote particulaire étant libérée de l'assemblage d'emballage (100).
8. Système de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage (100) et assemblage d'emballage,
l'assemblage d'emballage comprenant des première (110) et deuxième (130) parties,
coopérant pour contenir le contenu ;
le système de manutention comprenant :
un dispositif de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage (50), configuré de sorte
à appliquer une force à l'assemblage d'emballage (100), de sorte que les première
(110) et deuxième (130) parties sont séparées au moins partiellement, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif est configuré de sorte à appliquer la force par au moins un moyen,
l'application d'une force de compression aux côtés opposés (112, 114) de l'assemblage
d'emballage (100), pour fléchir la deuxième partie (130) vers l'extérieur de la première
partie (110), autour d'un axe de flexion (142), pour permettre une réutilisation de
l'assemblage d'emballage (100), ou l'insertion d'un outil d'ouverture (76) entre les
première (110) et deuxième (130) parties de l'assemblage d'emballage (100), pour permettre
une réutilisation de l'assemblage d'emballage (100), et en ce que les première (110) et deuxième (130) parties coopèrent pour contenir une aliquote
particulaire, l'application de la force entraînant la libération d'au moins une partie
de l'aliquote particulaire.
9. Système de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage selon la revendication 8, dans
lequel la force comprend une force de compression, la force de compression entraînant
de préférence le fléchissement d'au moins une des première (110) ou deuxième (130)
parties vers l'extérieur de l'autre partie, autour d'un axe de flexion (142), de sorte
que les première (110) et deuxième (130) parties sont séparées au moins partiellement
en réponse à la force, libérant ainsi au moins une partie de l'aliquote particulaire,
et comprenant de préférence en outre un outil d'ouverture (76), configuré de sorte
à être inséré dans une ouverture définie par au moins une partie d'une paire de parties
concaves opposées (135) agencées sur une partie de bride (119, 132) de l'assemblage
d'emballage (100), pour faciliter le fléchissement d'au moins une des première (110)
ou deuxième (130) parties vers l'extérieur de l'autre partie, autour de l'axe de flexion
(142), de sorte que les première (110) et deuxième (130) parties sont séparées, et
de préférence :
(a) comprenant en outre un outil de dégagement (73), configuré de sorte à appliquer
une deuxième force à l'assemblage d'emballage (100), pratiquement perpendiculaire
à un plan défini par la partie de bride (119, 132), pour faciliter la séparation des
première (110) et deuxième (130) parties ; ou
(b) comprenant en outre un assemblage de poussée (60) et une paire de rails de guidage
(56, 57), définissant un trajet de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage, l'assemblage
de poussée (60) étant configuré de sorte à déplacer l'assemblage d'emballage (100)
le long du trajet de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage, de sorte que l'ouverture
de l'assemblage d'emballage (100) contacte une extrémité avant (80) définie par l'outil
d'ouverture (76), les première (110) et deuxième (130 parties de l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) étant de préférence reliées au niveau d'une extrémité par une charnière (150),
l'outil d'ouverture (76) définissant en outre un bras de fléchissement (82), configuré
de sorte à fléchir une des première (110) ou deuxième (130) parties de l'assemblage
d'emballage (110) lors de la séparation des première (110) et deuxième (130) parties,
de sorte que l'assemblage d'emballage (100) reste au moins temporairement dans une
position ouverte.
10. Système de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage selon la revendication 8, dans
lequel l'application de la force comprend l'insertion d'un outil d'ouverture (76)
entre les première (110) et deuxième (130) parties de l'assemblage d'emballage (100).
11. Système de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage selon la revendication 8, dans
lequel l'application de la force comprend une force pratiquement perpendiculaire à
un plan défini par une partie de bride (119, 132) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100).
12. Système de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage selon la revendication 8, comprenant
en outre un assemblage de poussée (60), une paire de rails de guidage (56, 57) définissant
un trajet de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage, et une zone de serrage (75)
définie dans au moins un des rails de guidage (56, 57) et pratiquement le long du
trajet de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage, l'assemblage de poussée (60) étant
configuré de sorte à déplacer l'assemblage d'emballage (100) le long du trajet de
manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage, près de la zone de serrage (75), la zone
de serrage (75) étant configurée de sorte à abaisser au moins un des côtés opposés
(112, 114) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100), la zone de serrage (75) étant de préférence
définie par un des éléments du groupe constitué de :
une forme géométrique d'au moins un des rails de guidage (56, 57), configurée de sorte
que les rails de guidage (56, 57) convergent lors du déplacement de l'assemblage d'emballage
(100) le long du trajet de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage ;
un ou plusieurs rouleaux presseurs définis dans au moins un des rails de guidage (56,
57), et configurés de sorte à fléchir au moins un des côtés opposés (112, 114) de
l'assemblage d'emballage (100), lors du déplacement de l'assemblage d'emballage (100)
le long du trajet de manutention de l'assemblage d'emballage ;
une section à actionnement d'au moins un des rails de guidage (56, 57), configurée
de sorte à se déplacer vers l'intérieur afin de fléchir au moins un des côtés opposés
(112, 114) de l'assemblage d'emballage (100) ; et
des combinaisons de ces éléments.
13. Système de manutention d'un assemblage d'emballage selon la revendication 8, comprenant
en outre un dispositif de lecture automatique (40), configuré de sorte à identifier
une étiquette de l'assemblage d'emballage (101), comprenant des repères de l'aliquote,
le dispositif de lecture automatique (40) comprenant de préférence un dispositif sélectionné
dans le groupe constitué de :
un lecteur de code à barres ;
un lecteur RFID ; et
des combinaisons de ces dispositifs.