Automated product packaging and delivery system with advanced bagging technology

Abstract

An automated product packaging and delivery system for use in automated retail environments, comprising a rectangular system frame defining a product delivery chamber, a vertically moveable lift box frame with lift panel, and a mechanized door panel providing secure consumer access. The system includes a bag feeder assembly for dispensing flat-folded bags, right and left bag opening assemblies utilizing rotating scissor lifts with suction cups for precise bag manipulation, and proximity sensors ensuring proper component alignment. The system processes orders through multiple operational states and can accommodate both bagged and unbagged products, making it particularly suitable for applications including food products, prepared meals, and secure package delivery services.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated product packaging and delivery system comprising:
 a system frame defining a product delivery chamber;   a lift box frame mounted within the system frame and configured for vertical movement;   a lift panel mounted to the lift box frame;   a door panel mounted to the system frame and configured to provide access to the product delivery chamber; and   at least one bag opening assembly mounted adjacent to the system frame and configured to manipulate a bag into an open configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lift box frame comprises:
 a linear actuator assembly mounted to the system frame and configured to drive vertical movement of the lift box frame; and   linear bearing guide rails mounted to the system frame and engaging linear bearings affixed to the lift box frame.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a bag feeder assembly mounted adjacent to a rear wall panel of the system frame and configured to feed flat-folded bags through a slot in the rear wall panel onto the lift panel. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the bag feeder assembly comprises:
 a bag storage chute;   a feed roller assembly comprising feed wheels driven by a feed wheel motor; and   separation roller wheels driven in an opposite direction from the feed wheels by a separation roller motor.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a spring-loaded plate configured to push bags against a front wall of the bag storage chute. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bag opening assembly comprises:
 a right bag opening assembly mounted adjacent to a right wall panel; and   a left bag opening assembly mounted adjacent to a left wall panel.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein each bag opening assembly comprises:
 a scissor lift;   bag engaging devices mounted at an end of the scissor lift;   a scissor lift drive mechanism; and   a rotating drive mechanism.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the bag engaging devices comprise suction cups. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising concealing doors mounted on the right and left wall panels and configured to selectively conceal the right and left bag opening assemblies. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the door panel comprises:
 a door panel carrier engaging horizontal slots in the system frame;   shaft blocks mounted to the door panel and engaging shaft block slots; and   a mechanical driving mechanism configured to move the door panel between open and closed positions.   
     
     
         11 . An automated product packaging system comprising:
 a product delivery chamber;   a lift panel configured for vertical movement within the product delivery chamber;   a bag feeding mechanism configured to dispense individual bags onto the lift panel; and   opposing bag opening mechanisms configured to engage and manipulate a dispensed bag into an open configuration.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the lift panel comprises:
 a centrally located opening; and   a semi-permeable layer covering the opening configured to apply vacuum to hold a bag in position.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising proximity sensors configured to monitor movement of system components. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the opposing bag opening mechanisms are configured to:
 sequentially engage opposite sides of a dispensed bag;   lift the bag to a vertical orientation; and   manipulate the bag into an open configuration suitable for receiving products.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the system is configured to operate in multiple operational states comprising:
 an initialization state;   a bag preparation state;   a product placement state; and   a delivery state.   
     
     
         16 . A method of automated product packaging comprising:
 dispensing a flat-folded bag onto a lift panel within a product delivery chamber;   engaging a first side of the bag with a first bag opening assembly;   lifting the bag to a vertical orientation;   engaging a second side of the bag with a second bag opening assembly;   manipulating the bag into an open configuration;   raising the lift panel to a product receiving position; and   lowering the lift panel to a delivery position.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 applying vacuum through the lift panel to secure the flat-folded bag; and   maintaining vacuum during bag manipulation.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein engaging the first and second sides of the bag comprises:
 deploying scissor lifts through concealing doors in the product delivery chamber;   applying suction to the bag with suction cups mounted on the scissor lifts; and   retracting the scissor lifts while maintaining suction.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 opening a door panel to enable access to the product delivery chamber;   positioning the door panel to block access to an interior of the system during product retrieval; and   returning the system to an initialization state after product retrieval.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method is configurable to process orders with or without bags based on consumer preference.