Container unloading system with auto-unload capability

摘要

A container unloading system that is adapted to automatically unload containers from carts while the containers and carts reside in an unloading station. The containers may be off-loaded onto a conveyor. The system includes a frame that is movable along the path of ingress/egress of the carts, and a vertically and horizontally movable lifting device that is supported on the frame and adapted to engage and lift the containers. A number of sensors may be present to gather information about the carts and/or containers and to send corresponding signals to a controller that is programmed to automatically operate the system.

主权项

1. A system for unloading a container from a cart while the cart resides in an unloading station, comprising:
a frame, the frame movable along a path of ingress/egress by which the cart is moved through the unloading station; a lifting device supported on the frame, the lifting device adapted to move along the frame and to lift the container from the cart; a bar code sensor adapted to read a bar code associated with the cart; a cart detect sensor for detecting the presence of the cart in the unloading station; a lifting pocket detecting sensor adapted to detect lifting compartments located in the container; and a controller and associated program, the controller adapted to receive signals from the sensors and to use the signals to move the frame as needed and to operate the lifting device to remove the container from the cart.