초록 ▼

A system (10) for dispensing dunnage material includes a chute (30) connectable to a supply (20, 40) of flowable dunnage. A container (12) or a bottom of the chute (30) is moved into a dispensing position where the bottom of the chute (30) is proximate the fill plane of the container (12). A control

A system (10) for dispensing dunnage material includes a chute (30) connectable to a supply (20, 40) of flowable dunnage. A container (12) or a bottom of the chute (30) is moved into a dispensing position where the bottom of the chute (30) is proximate the fill plane of the container (12). A controller (16) selectively opens a shutter (50) at the bottom of the chute (30) to dispense dunnage and then closes the shutter (50) to separate the dispensed dunnage from the dunnage in the chute (30) while also removing the dunnage above the fill plane of the container (12). The chute (30) includes at least one substantially horizontal plate member (54) that is openable to selectively vary the size of an aperture (52) created thereby at the bottom of the chute (30) for dispensing dunnage material therethrough.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed: 1. A method of dispensing a flowable dunnage into a container comprising the steps of sensing a dimension of a container, adjusting the size of an aperture at the outlet of a dunnage dispenser based on the sensed dimension while the aperture is closed by a shutter, relatively posit

What is claimed: 1. A method of dispensing a flowable dunnage into a container comprising the steps of sensing a dimension of a container, adjusting the size of an aperture at the outlet of a dunnage dispenser based on the sensed dimension while the aperture is closed by a shutter, relatively positioning the outlet of the dunnage dispenser above the container, and opening the shutter to allow dunnage to flow into the container. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning step includes moving the outlet to a position in close proximity to the top edge or edges of the side wall or walls of the container. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning step includes moving the outlet vertically. 4. A method according to claim 1, comprising the step of positioning a container on a container support in a position aligned with the dispenser outlet. 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the step of positioning the container includes registering one corner of a rectangular container relative to a respective corner of the outlet where the outlet has a rectangular shape. 6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the step of positioning the container includes moving the container in one or more generally horizontal directions. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting step includes moving one or more transversely movable closure members to vary the size of the aperture. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the adjusting step includes moving at least two closure members to define the aperture. 9. A method according to claim 7, wherein opening the shutter includes moving fewer than all of the closure members. 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning step includes moving the bottom portion of a chute from a rest position at a relatively fast rate for a first period of time and continuing to a dispensing position at a relatively slower rate that is slower than the first rate for a second period of time. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the positioning step includes moving the bottom portion of the chute from the dispensing position to a rest position at the faster rate. 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sensing step includes sensing at least one of a height, width, or depth dimension or combinations thereof, of a container. 13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of opening the shutter can begin before the positioning step is complete. 14. A method according to claim 1, comprising the steps of relatively positioning an outlet of a dispenser such that the shutter closing the outlet is located in close proximity to the top edge or edges of the side wall or walls of a container, and the opening step includes moving the shutter from a closed position through a plane that is parallel to the top edge or edges to open the shutter to allow dunnage to flow from the dispenser into the container.