Dual containers automate dumping and picking

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Jan 13, 2003

When a major packaging component manufacturer designed its new automated material handling system to speed the assembly of its plastic bottles, a new container system was developed.

When a major packaging component manufacturer designed its new automated material handling system to speed the assembly of its plastic bottles, the injection molder turned to custom container manufacturer Meese Orbitron Dunne Co.

(MOD), Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to develop the containers.

Renowned for its Ship Shape line of rugged, bulk containers used by Disney, UPS, Philip Morris and Procter and Gamble, among others, MOD engineers involved both the injection molder and its conveyor developer to determine the precise specifications and delivered a container solution that permits the entire system to operate smoothly, safely and without interruption.

To permit seamless integration with the planned conveying, picking and assembly operations while accommodating two parts of different sizes, MOD engineers devised dual containers sharing the same 48in x 48in footprint but in 46in and 30in heights.

Each rotationally molded of LLDPE in one piece for strength and rigidity, the dual containers safely hold 800 and 600 lb respectively (272 and 363kg) in stackable, nestable, two-way forklift-accessible designs.

Both containers feature side projections to permit a picking arm to safely and securely grasp the filled containers while rotating and dumping the contents into a chute for assembly.

By custom designing containers around the specifications of the system, MOD engineers provide system designers with the flexibility to develop the system they need with the complete confidence that the container can be developed after the fact, according to Jack Pape, vice president for MOD.