Abstract: A system for loading a plurality of items in series into a receptacle held in an item holding device, comprises a plurality of item holding devices each adapted for holding an item receptacle adapted to hold a plurality of items. A holding devices moving apparatus such as a conveyor, moves the plurality of item holding devices through an item loading station with the item receptacles being oriented at a first angle to the horozinal. An item delivery apparatus delivers a plurality of items separately in series at an item orientation that is at a second angle to the item receptacles. The item delivery apparatus may include a metering device comprising a wheel member having a plurality of generally radially extending, generally equally spaced finger members, with all adjacent finger members being configured at a distance there between proximate end portions of said adjacent finger members. The radial position of the fingers, and thus the distance between end portions, is adjustable.

Abstract: A rotary object feeder comprises a sun member having a sun axis and being rotatable about a sun axis of rotation at a rotational speed of W1. The feeder also has a planetary member mounted for connection to the sun member, the planetary member having a planetary axis located at a constant distance X from the sun axis. The planetary member is rotatable about the planetary axis of rotation and is also mounted for rotation around the sun axis with the sun member. The planetary member is rotated about the planetary axis at a rotational speed of W3 which is opposite in direction to W1. N pick-up members are mounted on the planetary member, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The pick up members are rotatable with the planetary member about the planetary axis and rotate with the planetary member around the sun axis.

Abstract: A rotary union connector is disclosed that may be used with a robot arm having a drive member. The connector may have an outer housing and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder may be fixedly mounted to the drive member for rotation about a central longitudinal axis. The inner cylinder may be mounted for rotation within and relative to the outer housing. The inner cylinder may have a first vacuum channel, and may be adapted to be fixedly mounted to an end effector. The outer housing may have a first vacuum channel and a first vacuum opening for connection to a vacuum supply line to supply vacuum to the first vacuum channel in the outer housing. The vacuum channel in the outer housing may also be in vacuum communication with the first vacuum channel in the inner cylinder. The first vacuum channel in the inner cylinder has an opening for communicating vacuum from the opening to the at least one suction cup of the pick up member.

Abstract: A rotary object feeder comprises a sun member having a sun axis and being rotatable about a sun axis of rotation at a rotational speed of W1. The feeder also has a planetary member mounted for connection to the sun member, the planetary member having a planetary axis located at a constant distance X from the sun axis. The planetary member is rotatable about the planetary axis of rotation and is also mounted for rotation around the sun axis with the sun member. The planetary member is rotated about the planetary axis at a rotational speed of W3 which is opposite in direction to W1. N pick-up members are mounted on the planetary member, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The pick up members are rotatable with the planetary member about the planetary axis and rotate with the planetary member around the sun axis.

Abstract: A system for loading a plurality of items in series into a receptacle held in an item holding device, comprises a plurality of item holding devices each adapted for holding an item receptacle adapted to hold a plurality of items. A holding device moving apparatus such as a conveyor, moves the plurality of item holding devices through an item loading station with the item receptacles being oriented at a first angle to the horizontal. An item delivery apparatus delivers a plurality of items separately in series at an item orientation that is at a second angle to the item receptacles. The item delivery apparatus may include a metering device comprising a wheel member having a plurality of generally radially extending, generally equally spaced finger members, with all adjacent finger members being configured at a distance there between proximate end portions of said adjacent finger members. The radial position of the fingers, and thus the distance between end portions, is adjustable.

Abstract: A method of loading a tray with at least one layer of items includes forming a plurality items into a group of items, moving the first group in a first generally horizontal direction so that the items are received through a top opening of the tray to form a layer of items that at least partially covers the upper surface of said base. The method also includes moving the tray loaded with the group of items in a generally vertical direction. The vertical direction may be downward. The tray may then be moved again in a horizontal direction. Also a system is provided to perform the aforesaid method.

Abstract: A rotary object feeder comprises a sun member having a sun axis and being rotatable about a sun axis of rotation at a rotational speed of W1. The feeder also has a planetary member mounted for connection to the sun member, the planetary member having a planetary axis located at a constant distance X from the sun axis. The planetary member is rotatable about the planetary axis of rotation and is also mounted for rotation around the sun axis with the sun member. The planetary member is rotated about the planetary axis at a rotational speed of W3 which is opposite in direction to W1. N pick-up members are mounted on the planetary member, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The pick up members are rotatable with the planetary member about the planetary axis and rotate with the planetary member around the sun axis.

Abstract: A rotary object feeder comprises a sun member having a sun axis and being rotatable about a sun axis of rotation at a rotational speed of W1. The feeder also has a planetary member mounted for connection to the sun member, the planetary member having a planetary axis located at a constant distance X from the sun axis. The planetary member is rotatable about the planetary axis of rotation and is also mounted for rotation around the sun axis with the sun member. The planetary member is rotated about the planetary axis at a rotational speed of W3 which is opposite in direction to W1. N pick-up members are mounted on the planetary member, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The pick up members are rotatable with the planetary member about the planetary axis and rotate with the planetary member around the sun axis.

Abstract: A method of loading a tray with at least one layer of items includes forming a plurality items into a group of items, moving the first group in a first generally horizontal direction so that the items are received through a top opening of the tray to form a layer of items that at least partially covers the upper surface of said base. The method also includes moving the tray loaded with the group of items in a generally vertical direction. The vertical direction may be downward. The tray may then be moved again in a horizontal direction. Also a system is provided to perform the aforesaid method.

Abstract: A system can re-orient a series of objects, such as containers, including pouches, from a first orientation that is one of several possible orientations, to a pre-selected second orientation. The system includes an orientation apparatus that can move a series of objects from their first orientation to the pre-selected second orientation by a movement sequence. The system includes a sensor system, such as a vision system, for detecting which of said several orientations is the first orientation. The orientation apparatus responds to a signal from said sensor, and performs a pre-determined movement sequence based on the detected first orientation.

Abstract: A system can re-orient a series of objects, such as containers, including pouches, from a first orientation that is one of several possible orientations, to a pre-selected second orientation. The system includes an orientation apparatus that can move a series of objects from their first orientation to the pre-selected second orientation by a movement sequence. The system includes a sensor system, such as a vision system, for detecting which of said several orientations is the first orientation. The orientation apparatus responds to a signal from said sensor, and performs a pre-determined movement sequence based on the detected first orientation.