METHOD OF HANDLING CLAMSHELL CONTAINERS CONTAINING A PARTICULATE ALIQUOT
A method for handling package assemblies in an automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a method of handling a package assembly containing a particulate aliquot (such as a selected type of agricultural seed) that includes first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, the method including 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.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/769,426, filed Apr. 28, 2010, which claims priority from U.S. Pat. No. 8,702,371, filed Jul. 6, 2007, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe 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 INVENTIONPlant 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 WIPO Publication No. 2008/006063, entitled “System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Automated High-Throughput Seed Sample Aliquot Preparation, Treatment, and Dispersal,” which claims priority from U.S. 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.
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.
Some improved containers for use in receiving, containing, and dispensing aliquots have been disclosed, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,284, 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.
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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe 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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 Al so that the bottom of each bin 62 may be substantially aligned with a loading area 64 (better viewed in
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 (1×8). 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.
An opening tool 76 that includes a spear 78 defining a spear end 80 (shown in more detail in
As noted above, improved package assemblies for use in receiving, containing, and dispensing aliquots have been disclosed, for example in U.S. Patent No. 7,938,284.
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.
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.
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.
As shown in
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
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.
As shown generally in
Furthermore, as shown generally in
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
In
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Claims
1. A method of handling a package assembly containing a particulate aliquot and comprising first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, 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, thus releasing at least a portion of the particulate aliquot,
- wherein applying a force to the package assembly using the package assembly handling device comprises inserting an opening tool between the first and second portions of the package assembly.
2. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 1, wherein applying a force to the package assembly using the package assembly handling device comprises applying a force approximately normal to a plane defined by a flange portion of the package assembly.
3. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 1, wherein inserting an opening tool between the first and second portions of the package assembly comprises inserting the opening tool into an 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 or second portions to flex outwardly from the other portion about the flexure axis so that the first and second portions separate.
4. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 3, wherein inserting an opening tool into an aperture comprises inserting the 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 corresponding 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.
5. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 3 further comprising applying second force to the package assembly, wherein the second force is applied approximately normal to a plane defined by the flange portion, and wherein the second force encourages the first and second portions to separate.
6. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 5, wherein applying a second force comprises 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 for encouraging the first and second portions of the package assembly to separate.
7. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 4, wherein inserting an opening tool into an aperture defined by at least one of a pair of concave portions located on a flange portion of the package assembly comprises 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 an opening tool.
8. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second portions of the package assembly are joined at one end by a hinge, and wherein the method further comprises deflecting one of the first or second portions of the package assembly with the opening tool when the first and second portions separate so that the package assembly at least temporarily remains in an open position.
9. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 1, further comprising identifying a package assembly label comprising a indicia of the aliquot using a machine reader device.
10. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 9, wherein the machine reader device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of:
- a bar code reader;
- an RFID reader; and
- combinations thereof.
11. The method of handling a package assembly of claim 1, wherein receiving the package assembly comprises 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, at least a portion of the particulate aliquot is released from the package assembly.
12. A package assembly handling system for handling a package assembly comprising first and second portions that cooperate to contain a particulate aliquot, the 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, thus releasing at least a portion of the particulate aliquot,
- wherein the force comprises inserting a opening tool between the first and second portions of the package assembly.
13. The package assembly handling system of claim 12, wherein the force comprises a force approximately normal to a plane defined by a flange portion of the package assembly.
14. The package assembly handling system of claim 12 wherein the opening tool is configured for inserting into an 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 or second portions to flex outwardly from the other portion about the flexure axis so that the first and second portions separate.
15. The package assembly handling system of claim 14, further comprising a disengaging tool configured for applying a second force to the package assembly, approximately normal to a plane defined by the flange portion, for encouraging the first and second portions to separate.
16. The package assembly handling system of claim 12, further comprising a pusher assembly and a pair of guide rails defining a package assembly handling path, and wherein the pusher assembly is configured for moving the package assembly along the package handling path so that the aperture of the package assembly contacts a leading end defined by the opening tool.
17. The package assembly handling system of claim 16, wherein the first and second portions of the package assembly are joined at one end by a hinge, and wherein the opening tool further defines a deflecting arm configured to deflect 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.
18. The package assembly handling system of claim 12, further comprising a machine reader device configured for identifying a package assembly label comprising indicia of the aliquot.
19. The package assembly handing system of claim 18, wherein the machine reader device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of:
- a bar code reader;
- an RFID reader; and
- combinations thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 11, 2014
Publication Date: Nov 27, 2014
Inventors: Daniel M Goldman (Des Moines, IA), Michael Hartman (Des Moines, IA), James L Hunter (Centennial, CO), Daivd L Johnson (Johnston, IA), Griffiths Tucker (Davenport, IA)
Application Number: 14/456,351
International Classification: B65B 69/00 (20060101);