Abstract: A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT).

Abstract: A robotic case packer is provided. The packer includes a case conveying apparatus, a case set up station, a case loading station, downstream of the case set up station, and a loaded case closure station, downstream of the case loading station, the case conveying apparatus receiving and conveying a case blank for case set up, case loading and loaded case closure operations, a process flow path as to case operations delimited by the case conveying apparatus. The case set up station, characterized by a case set up robot operable in a process flow path direction, secures a case blank from a source of case blanks and transfers the blank to the case conveying apparatus. The case loading station, characterized by a case loading robot operable across the process flow path direction, transfers an article group for case loading into a set up case conveyed by the case conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT).

Abstract: A top loading assembly is provided. The assembly includes a robotic arm and an article collector assembly supported thereby. The robotic arm is characterized by first and second arm segments and three pivotable arm joints, a first arm joint J1 being a distal arm joint for operatively supporting said collector assembly, a second arm joint J2 being an intermediate arm joint, and a third arm joint J3 being a terminal/anchorable arm joint. The collector assembly, directable from an article collection locus to a collected article loading locus, includes a collector adapted to effectuate select clamping in relation to articles collected by the collector during direction of the collector assembly from the article collection locus to the collected article loading locus.

Abstract: A robotic end of arm tool to effectuate loaded case closure is provided. The tool includes a loaded case flap folding assembly to effectuate folding of flaps extending from a first case panel of a loaded case and, advantageously, loaded case squaring assemblies. The folding assembly includes flap engaging elements, a linkage and an actuator, the flap engaging elements operatively united with the linkage, the linkage actuatable via the actuator in furtherance of causing the flap engaging elements to engage the flaps extending from the first case panel. Flap engaging elements include a first flap engaging element for engagement with a first flap extending from the first case panel of the loaded case, and second and third flap engaging elements for engagement with second and third flaps opposingly extending from the first case panel, each of the second and third flaps adjacent the first flap.

Abstract: A case setup apparatus is generally provided. The apparatus is characterized by a robotic arm and a case engaging apparatus carried by the robotic arm. The case engaging apparatus is characterized by a picker arm assembly for picking a case blank from a source of case blanks, and a rack arm assembly for attaching to a picked case blank. The picker arm assembly is fixedly supported within the case engaging apparatus and the rack arm assembly is pivotably supported, relative to the picker arm assembly, within the case engaging apparatus. A flap folding subassembly is provided and translatably supported within the case engaging apparatus for reversible travel parallel to the picker arm assembly. The subassembly includes flap engaging members, a flap engaging member of the flap engaging members being forwardly extendable to disassociate adjacent flaps of a case blank in advance of folding a flap by the flap engaging members.

Abstract: An article processing station is characterized by an accumulating article shaft and robotic EOAT receiving articles entering the shaft. The shaft includes a grouped article receiving deck within an egress portion of the shaft, opposingly paired sidewalls, and an end wall downstream of the sidewalls. The deck includes spaced apart deck fingers, the end wall includes spaced apart wall fingers, and the EOAT includes spaced apart tool fingers. The tool fingers are registerable in relation to spaces of the spaced apart wall fingers and the spaced apart deck fingers so as to pass there through. The tool travels to, through and from the shaft, so as to receive articles entering the ingress portion of the shaft while traveling from the ingress portion towards the egress portion in furtherance of depositing an article group upon the deck during travel from the shaft.

Abstract: A system for loading an accumulated article group into a case is provided. The system includes an article accumulation station, a grouped article loading station, and a pusher assembly. The accumulation station includes an article receiver assembly in furtherance of delimiting an accumulated article group, and a grouped article guide structure within which the accumulated article group is positionable by operation of the article receiver assembly. The grouped article loading station includes a gate assembly, having first and second operable configurations, and an actuatable gate through which the accumulated article group passes during loading of the group into a case presented for receipt of same.

Abstract: A vertical form fill and seal apparatus, for packaging particulates, includes a package sealing assembly that has opposed sealing jaws operatively coupled to each other by mechanical connection at a common pivot point. A first jaw actuator is mechanically coupled to the opposed sealing jaws to pivot the jaws in a controlled manner about the common pivot point. A second actuator is mechanically coupled to the package sealing assembly and is configured to impart controlled reciprocating motion to the package sealing assembly. A controller is configured to control the first actuator and to control the second actuator thereby causing the jaws to describe a preset locus of travel, allowing flexibility of type of bag being made without change-out of jaws. The packaging film may move continuously, or may optionally be controlled to move intermittently through the VFFS.

Abstract: A splicing assembly for rolled sheet material, including first and second shafts for support of sheet material and a drive assembly for selectively dispensing sheet material. The assembly further includes a splicing apparatus for uniting a replacement with a winding down roll, and an egress guide assembly for receipt of dispensed sheet material exiting the splicing apparatus and passage of same intermediate the shafts. The splicing apparatus includes first and second sealing elements, and first and second carriages adapted and disposed for translation towards their respective sealing elements, a free end portion of sheet material of the replacement roll supported upon the first/second shaft for selective retention by the second/first sheet material carriage, and for translation to, and thereafter with, a portion of sheet material of the winding down roll supported upon the second/first shaft for urged combined engagement with a corresponding sealing element.

Abstract: An article metering assembly for forming of an article group from a downstream most end portion of a bulk flow of conveyed articles is generally provided. The assembly, in one embodiment, is characterized by a robotic arm, a linkage assembly, and an end effector operatively united with the robotic arm and the linkage assembly such that the end effector is fixedly orientated relative to and overhead of the bulk flow of articles throughout a robotic arm motion cycle. Alternately, the assembly is characterized by a robotic arm in operative combination with an end effector, the end effector selectively oriented in relation to articles of a bulk flow of article during travel about its travel path in furtherance of forming an article group from above.

Abstract: An article accumulation pattern building load plate assembly is provided. The assembly includes a deck for support of patterned articles, a stop for retaining deck supported articles, and spaced apart guides adjustably positionable in relation to the deck so as to transversely guide articles thereacross towards the stop. Articles of the patterned articles are received at an ingress portion of the assembly from a metered article source, the articles extendable at least across a width of the deck in a direction transverse to an article ingress direction. The stop is adjacent the deck, extending in a direction transverse to the article ingress direction, the stop delimiting an egress portion of the assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatic adjustment of guide rails for guiding articles on a conveyor via lanes is provided. The apparatus includes spaced apart first and second tracks, a carriage for driven travel along the first track, and a guide rail hanger for select slaved travel along the second track by the carriage in furtherance of lane adjustment. The guide rail hanger is operatively linked with a guide rail hanger positioning bar for select reversible affixation with respect thereto in furtherance of establishing a fixed guide rail position relative to the conveyor. A latch assembly, supported by the carriage, has a latch selectively operable for captured carrying of the guide rail hanger along the second track during travel of said carriage, the latch effectuating release of an affixed guide rail hanger from the guide rail hanger positioning bar in furtherance of enabling relocating and re-affixing the guide rail hanger relative to the guide rail hanger positioning bar in advance of captured carrying thereof.

Abstract: An article accumulation pattern building load plate assembly is provided. The assembly includes a deck for support of patterned articles, a stop for retaining deck supported articles, and spaced apart guides adjustably positionable in relation to the deck so as to transversely guide articles thereacross towards the stop. Articles of the patterned articles are received at an ingress portion of the assembly from a metered article source, the articles extendable at least across a width of the deck in a direction transverse to an article ingress direction. The stop is adjacent the deck, extending in a direction transverse to the article ingress direction, the stop delimiting an egress portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A top loading assembly is provided. The assembly includes a robotic arm and an article collector assembly supported thereby. The robotic arm is characterized by first and second arm segments and three pivotable arm joints, a first arm joint J1 being a distal arm joint for operatively supporting said collector assembly, a second arm joint J2 being an intermediate arm joint, and a third arm joint J3 being a terminal/anchorable arm joint. The collector assembly, directable from an article collection locus to a collected article loading locus, includes a collector adapted to effectuate select clamping in relation to articles collected by the collector during direction of the collector assembly from the article collection locus to the collected article loading locus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a structurally resilient package having a substantially box-shaped configuration is disclosed. A pillow pouch package is received onto a flighted conveyor. The pillow pouch package has a first squared end and an angular end located opposite to the first squared end. The pillow pouch package is received so that the first squared end rests on the flighted conveyor. Thereafter the pillow pouch package is conditioned at least in part by tamping the angular end with a tamping plate. The angular end of the package is subsequently heat treated to form a second squared end. A set of cooling plates is then applied to the second squared end to set the final shape and form the structurally resilient package having a substantially box-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a structurally resilient package with a desired shape on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine. The method comprises sealing a film to form a back seal; forming a first end seal to form a partially formed first package; flattening a first side of the partially formed first package to form a flat first side; filling the partially formed first package with product; forming a second end seal on the partially formed first package to form a first package from the partially formed first package; flattening the second side of the first package to form a flat second side, wherein the flattening the first side and the flattening the second side occur on a first machine.

Abstract: An article metering system is generally provided. The system is primarily comprised of a conveyor section, for receipt of a bulk flow of articles and conveyance of spaced apart metered article groups downstream of an ingress portion thereof, and an article metering station characterized by an article metering apparatus characterized by a drive assembly and a driven member driven thereby. The driven member includes an end effector for select positioning between adjacent articles of articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section in furtherance of delimiting a downstream spaced apart metered article group characterized by a select number of columns. The drive assembly includes cooperatively driven servo drives to effectuate travel of the end effector in either of a downstream article flow direction or an upstream article flow direction, and an up/down direction in relation to articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatic adjustment of guide rails for guiding articles on a conveyor via lanes is provided. The apparatus includes spaced apart first and second tracks, a carriage for driven travel along the first track, and a guide rail hanger for select slaved travel along the second track by the carriage in furtherance of lane adjustment. The guide rail hanger is operatively linked with a guide rail hanger positioning bar for select reversible affixation with respect thereto in furtherance of establishing a fixed guide rail position relative to the conveyor. A latch assembly, supported by the carriage, has a latch selectively operable for captured carrying of the guide rail hanger along the second track during travel of said carriage, the latch effectuating release of an affixed guide rail hanger from the guide rail hanger positioning bar in furtherance of enabling relocating and re-affixing the guide rail hanger relative to the guide rail hanger positioning bar in advance of captured carrying thereof.

Abstract: A vacuum table (18) includes an introduction section (102) in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber (120) and a compartment (139) dividable by an adjustment partition (156) into primary and secondary vacuum chambers (139a, 139b). Adjustment plates (130) having adjustment apertures (138) are positionable over apertures (128) of the conveying surface (100) of the vacuum table (18) generally perpendicular to the conveying direction. Film (20) extends from between the nip of pinch rollers (12, 13) to the conveying surface (100) and is tensioned therebetween to be cut in excess of 105 cuts per minute by a servo motor controlled rotary cutter (30) which stops after each cut. The shaft (32) of the rotary cutter (30) includes a bore (310) extending from the idle end to provide servo-control loop stability.