Semi-automatic case forming, holding and sealing machine and related order fulfillment system

Abstract

A system for packing items into cases includes a computer system for receiving information regarding items to be packed into a case, the computer system configured to determine a needed case size for loading based upon physical information regarding the items to be packed. A case handling machine includes multiple components that are position-adjustable according to case size to be held, formed and sealed, the case handling machine including a control system including a memory storing a plurality of machine set ups, wherein each machine set up includes data corresponding to positions for the multiple components. The computer system is configured to communicate needed case size information to the case handling machine, wherein the control system of the case handling machine is configured to implement component position adjustment based upon the needed case size information.

1 . A system for packing items into cases, the system comprising:
 a case packing optimizer system for receiving information regarding items to be packed into a case, the system configured to determine a needed case size for loading based upon physical information regarding the items to be packed;   a semi-automatic case handling machine including multiple components that are position-adjustable according to case size to be held, formed and sealed, the case handling machine including a control system including a memory storing a plurality of machine set ups, wherein each machine set up includes data corresponding to positions for the multiple components;   wherein the case packing optimizer system is configured to communicate needed case size information to the case handling machine, wherein the control system of the case handling machine is configured to implement component position adjustment based upon the needed case size information received from the case packing optimizer system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the case packing optimizer system is connected to receive item information from an order fulfillment provider ERP/WMS system. 
     
     
         3 . A method for packing items into a case, the method comprising:
 using a case handling machine including multiple components that are position-adjustable according to case size to be held, formed and sealed, the case handling machine including a control system including a memory storing a plurality of machine set ups, wherein each machine set up corresponds to a respective case size and includes data corresponding to operating positions for the multiple components in order to handle the respective case size;   scanning an identifier of a container that contains a plurality of items to be packed;   based upon the identifier, a computer system receiving information regarding the plurality of items, including physical information regarding the plurality of items, and the computer system automatically determining a case size to be used for packing the plurality of items based on the physical information;   the computer system communicating determined case size data to the case handling machine and the control system of the case handling machine responsively utilizes the stored machine set-up that corresponds to the determined case size to position the multiple components of the case handling machine appropriately for handling the determined case size.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the case handling machine utilizes the determined case size data to trigger an indicator on a case storage device to communicate to an operator which case size should be selected and placed in the case handling machine. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 based on the received information regarding the plurality of items, the computer system automatically determines a case packing procedure and the case packing procedure is communicated to the operator via a display, wherein the case packing procedure includes how to pack the plurality of items and what dunnage to include when packing.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 based upon the identifier, the computer system receiving information regarding shipping of the plurality of items and the computer system communicates shipping label information to a label printer for printing a shipping label to be applied to the packed case.