System for monitoring flexible container usage

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for packaging items within a container. The container is supported adjacent an indicator which determines the addition of an individual item into the container. The number of items added to a container is accumulated and the accumulated data for each container during a given cycle is stored. The stored data is then communicated to a processing unit for analyzing and use as a management tool within the packaging operation.

1 . An apparatus for use while packaging items within a container, the apparatus comprising:
 means for substantially continuously determining a weight of the container and its contents;   means for detecting the addition of an item into the container based on changes to the weight; and   means for accumulating the number of items added to the container in a given cycle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for indicating to a user when at least one predetermined condition selected from the following group of conditions has been met:
 the weight of the container and its contents exceeds a predetermined maximum weight, or   the number of items within the container exceeds a preselected number of items.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising means for actuating a first visual output device, upon an item being placed within the container, and for actuating a second visual output device, upon the predetermined condition being reached. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for storing a plurality of containers adjacent to the weight determining means. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the containers are t-shirts bags, and the container storing means comprises a pair of arms structured to be received within a pair of apertures defined within an upper portion of the bags, the pair of arms extending over the weight determining means, to support at least one bag in a position for packaging items therein. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein each arm comprises:
 a substantially horizontal storage portion disposed adjacent to the at least one vertical member,   a substantially horizontal loading portion disposed at a free end portion of the arm, and a   transfer portion disposed between the storage portion and loading portion,   the transfer portion being angled with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the transfer portion of each arm defines an obtuse angle with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a projection disposed between the arms, the projection being structured to fit within an aperture defined within a tab disposed at a top of a container. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the weight determining means is selected from the group consisting of a scale and a strain gauge. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the item addition means comprises:
 means for determining when the weight of the container and its contents has stabilized, and   means for comparing a previous weight of the container and its contents with the weight of the container and its contents.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein accumulating means comprises an accumulator. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for storing said accumulated item information; and   means for communicating said stored information to a processing unit for analysis.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising means for calculating an average number of items packed within each container. 
     
     
         14 . A method of packaging items within a container, the method comprising:
 providing a container;   substantially continuously determining a weight of the container and its contents;   detecting the addition of an item into the container based on changes to the weight; and   accumulating the number of items added to the container in a given cycle.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising signaling a user when the weight of the container and its contents exceeds a predetermined maximum weight. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising providing a first signal upon an item being placed within the container, and a second signal upon the maximum weight for the container and its contents being reached. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining when the weight of the container and its contents has stabilized after the addition of an item; and   comparing a previous weight of the container and its contents with the subsequent weight of the container and its contents.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 storing said accumulated information; and   communicating said stored information to a processing unit for analysis.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for use while packaging items within a container, the apparatus comprising:
 a rack, the rack comprising
 a base, and 
 a pair of arms disposed above the base, each arm having a substantially horizontal storage portion disposed adjacent to the at least one vertical member, a substantially horizontal loading portion disposed at a free end portion of the arm, and a transfer portion disposed between the storage portion and loading portion, the transfer portion being angled with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion. 
   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising at least one vertical member extending upward from the base, the pair of arms extending outward from the at least one vertical member. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the transfer portion of each arm defines an obtuse angle with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising a projection disposed between the arms, the projection being structured to fit within an aperture defined within a tab disposed at a top of a container. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the base includes a scale. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 23 , further comprising an accumulator operatively connected to the scale, the accumulator adapted to record the number of items placed in the container based upon an increase in a weight of the container with the addition of an item therein. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for use while packaging items within a container, the apparatus comprising:
 a scale having a support surface for a container;   a rack for supporting a container in an open position above the scale support surface; and   an accumulator operatively connected to the scale, the scale and accumulator being structured to record a number of items placed in the container upon an increase in a weight of the container.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the rack further comprises a means for supporting a plurality of containers in a storage position. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the rack comprises:
 a base;   at least one vertical member extending upward from the base: and   a pair of arms extending outward from the at least one vertical member, each arm having a substantially horizontal storage portion disposed adjacent to the at least one vertical member, a substantially horizontal loading portion disposed at a free end portion of the arm, and a transfer portion disposed between the storage portion and loading portion, the transfer portion being angled with respect to the storage portion and the loading portion.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the scale comprises a signal structured to signal a user upon a preselected maximum weight being reached. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the scale comprises a first signal structured to indicate successful registry of an item placed in a container, and a second signal structured to indicate a preselected maximum weight being reached. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the scale and accumulator are structured to determine when a weight of a container and the container's contents have stabilized, and to compare a previous weight of the container and the container's contents with the weight of the container and its contents; whereby an item placed in the container will result in a change in the weight of the container, causing the accumulator to register an additional item within the container. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , further comprising a processing unit in communication with at least one scale and accumulator, the processing unit being structured to receive information about a number of items per container from the at least one scale and accumulator. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the accumulator or the processing unit is structured to calculate an average number of items per container. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the processing unit is structured to control a group of settings for the at least one scale and accumulator. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the accumulator is structured to calculate an average number of items per container over a period of time. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein:
 the processing unit includes a radio frequency transmitter/receiver; and   the at least one scale and accumulator includes a radio frequency transmitter/receiver.   
     
     
         36 . A processing unit for use with at least one scale and accumulator combination, the at least one scale and accumulator combination being structured to record a number of items placed in a container disposed on the scale upon an increase in a weight of the container, the processing unit comprising:
 means for receiving information about a number of items per container or about a weight per container from the at least one scale and accumulator combination; and   means for controlling a group of settings for the at least one scale and accumulator combination.   
     
     
         37 . The processing unit according to  claim 36 , further comprising means for calculating an average number of items per container or an average weight per container for the at least one scale and accumulator combination. 
     
     
         38 . The processing unit according to  claim 36 , wherein the information receiving means and the setting control means include a radio frequency transmitter/receiver.