Pallet inspection and repair system and associated methods

Abstract

A pallet inspection and repair system includes a pallet in-feed for receiving pallets for inspection, and an automated pallet inspection system for inspecting the pallets. A processor cooperates with the automated pallet inspection system to generate a repair recipe for each pallet based on the inspecting, and compares the repair recipes to determine at least one performance repair parameter for the pallets. The at least one performance repair parameter corresponds to a type of repair to be made to the pallets.

1 . A method for inspecting and repairing pallets comprising:
 receiving a plurality of pallets for inspection;   inspecting each pallet using an automated pallet inspection system;   generating a repair recipe for each pallet based on the inspecting; and   comparing the repair recipes to determine at least one performance repair parameter for the pallets.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one performance repair parameter corresponds to at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising determining at least one repair trend based on the at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising determining material usage for repairing the pallets based on the at least one type of repair to be made. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising estimating an amount of time for repairing the pallets based on the at least one type of repair to be made. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the automated pallet inspection system inspects the pallets based on a plurality of inspection parameters each having a tolerance associated therewith; and further comprising adjusting at least one of the tolerances based on the at least one performance repair parameter. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein inspecting each pallet using the automated pallet inspection system comprises:
 generating image data for each pallet; and   comparing the generated image data with an expected profile of the pallet, with the repair recipe being generated based on the comparing.   
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of pallets are received from a customer, and further comprising:
 collecting customer data with respect to the received pallets;   tracking the customer data with the at least one performance repair parameter; and   analyzing the at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets provided by the customer.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising providing feedback to the customer so corrective action can be taken by the customer. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the customer data comprises identification of the customer, and how many pallets are received from the customer. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising repairing damaged pallets based on the respective repair recipes using at least one processor-controller pallet repair device. 
   
   
       12 . A pallet inspection and repair system comprising:
 a pallet in-feed for receiving a plurality of pallets for inspection;   an automated pallet inspection system for receiving the plurality of pallets from said pallet in-feed for inspecting; and   at least one processor cooperating with said automated pallet inspection system for
 generating a repair recipe for each pallet based on the inspecting, and 
 comparing the repair recipes to determine at least one performance repair parameter for the pallets. 
   
   
   
       13 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one performance repair parameter corresponds to at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets. 
   
   
       14 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor further determines at least one repair trend based on the at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets. 
   
   
       15 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor further determines material usage for repairing the pallets based on the at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets. 
   
   
       16 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor further estimates an amount of time for repairing the pallets based on the at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets. 
   
   
       17 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 12 , wherein said automated pallet inspection system inspects the pallets based on a plurality of inspection parameters each having a tolerance associated therewith; and wherein said at least one processor further cooperates with said automated pallet inspection system for adjusting at least one of the tolerances based on the at least one performance repair parameter. 
   
   
       18 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 12  wherein said automated pallet inspection system generates image data for each pallet, and compares the generated image data with an expected profile of the pallet, with the repair recipe being generated by said at least one processor based on the comparing. 
   
   
       19 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pallets are received from a customer; wherein said pallet in-feed collects customer data with respect to the received pallets; and wherein said at least one processor tracks the customer data with the at least one performance repair parameter, and analyzes the at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets provided by the customer. 
   
   
       20 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 19 , wherein said at least one processor further generates feedback for the customer so corrective action can be taken by the customer. 
   
   
       21 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 19  wherein the customer data comprises identification of the customer, and how many pallets are received from the customer. 
   
   
       22 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 12  further comprising at least one processor-controller pallet repair device for repairing damaged pallets based on the respective repair recipes. 
   
   
       23 . A pallet inspection and repair system comprising:
 a pallet in-feed for receiving a plurality of pallets for inspection;   an automated pallet inspection system for receiving the plurality of pallets from said pallet in-feed, and for generating image data for each pallet, and comparing the generated image data with an expected profile of the pallet; and   at least one processor cooperating with said automated pallet inspection system for
 generating a repair recipe for each pallet based on the comparing, and 
 comparing the repair recipes to determine at least one performance repair parameter for the pallets, with the at least one performance repair parameter corresponding to at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets. 
   
   
   
       24 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 23 , wherein said at least one processor further determines at least one repair trend based on the at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets. 
   
   
       25 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 23 , wherein said at least one processor further determines at least one of material usage and estimates an amount of time for repairing the pallets based on the at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets. 
   
   
       26 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 23 , wherein said automated pallet inspection system inspects the pallets based on a plurality of inspection parameters each having a tolerance associated therewith; and wherein said at least one processor further cooperates with said automated pallet inspection system for adjusting at least one of the tolerances based on the at least one performance repair parameter. 
   
   
       27 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pallets are received from a customer; wherein said pallet in-feed collects customer data with respect to the received pallets; and wherein said at least one processor tracks the customer data with the at least one performance repair parameter, and analyzes the at least one type of repair to be made to the pallets provided by the customer. 
   
   
       28 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 23  further comprising at least one processor-controller pallet repair device for repairing damaged pallets based on the respective repair recipes. 
   
   
       29 . The pallet inspection and repair system according to  claim 23  further comprising:
 a plurality of spaced apart sensors for tracking movement of the pallets.   a controller cooperating with said plurality of spaced apart sensors for controlling said automated inspection system based on movement of the pallets.