Abstract: A pallet tier cap forming apparatus is provided for forming a horizontal planar paperboard blank into a pallet tier cap. The blank includes a generally rectangular center panel having four edges, and four flaps connected by fold lines with the center panel edges, respectively. A blank transport device initially displaces the blank laterally in a first diagonal direction for simultaneous engagement with a first orthogonally arranged pair of drag walls, and vertically upwardly, thereby to break downwardly about associated fold lines a first pair of adjacent flaps of the blank. The blank is further displaced laterally in the first direction, thereby to reversely fold back the first pair of flaps about the associated wall junctions toward an acute angle relative to the blank center panel. The blank is then displaced in the opposite diagonal direction, and the forming steps are repeated to fold downwardly simultaneously a second pair of flaps.

Abstract: A leak detection system and method are characterized by scanning a surface of a vacuum package, generating a contour signal corresponding with the contour of the scanned surface, and comparing the contour signal with a stored contour signal of a similar package which is known to be free of leaks. The system includes a sensor such as a scanning device which scans a surface of the package and generates the contour signal. A signal processor connected with the scanning device processes the signal to generate a profile of the package surface. This profile is compared with a stored profile corresponding to a normal configuration for the package surface. When the scanned profile deviates from the stored profile, a leak within the scanned package is indicated.

Abstract: A leak detection system and method are characterized by scanning a surface of a vacuum package, generating a contour signal corresponding with the contour of the scanned surface, and comparing the contour signal with a stored contour signal of a similar package which is known to be free of leaks. The system includes a sensor such as a scanning device which scans a surface of the package and generates the contour signal. A signal processor connected with the scanning device processes the signal to generate a profile of the package surface. This profile is compared with a stored profile corresponding to a normal configuration for the package surface. When the scanned profile deviates from the stored profile, a leak within the scanned package is indicated.

Abstract: A pallet tier cap forming apparatus is provided for forming a horizontal planar paperboard blank into a pallet tier cap. The blank includes a generally rectangular center panel having four edges, and four flaps connected by fold lines with the center panel edges, respectively. A blank transport device initially displaces the blank laterally in a first diagonal direction for simultaneous engagement with a first orthogonally arranged pair of drag walls, and vertically upwardly, thereby to break downwardly about associated fold lines a first pair of adjacent flaps of the blank. The blank is further displaced laterally in the first direction, thereby to reversely fold back the first pair of flaps about the associated wall junctions toward an acute angle relative to the blank center panel. The blank is then displaced in the opposite diagonal direction, and the forming steps are repeated to fold downwardly simultaneously a second pair of flaps.

Abstract: A servo adjustable gripper device for gripping and transporting at least two objects such as boxes includes a frame and at least two gripper assemblies connected with carriages slidably connected with the frame. The gripper device further includes a robotic arm which controls further movement and placement of the boxes on a pallet. The position of the gripper assemblies on the frame is adjustable to provide equal lifting force for a variety of differently sized boxes or for different numbers of boxes.

Abstract: A servo adjustable gripper device for gripping and transporting at least two objects such as boxes includes a frame and at least two gripper assemblies connected with carriages slidably connected with the frame. The gripper device further includes a robotic arm which controls further movement and placement of the boxes on a pallet. The position of the gripper assemblies on the frame is adjustable to provide equal lifting force for a variety of differently sized boxes or for different numbers of boxes.

Abstract: A robotic loading cell for plastic utensils is characterized by a synchronized supply conveyor and gripping mechanism for packaging individual utensils from an integrally molded group or rack of utensils. The gripping device is operable to remove a plurality of individually stacked utensils from the integral racks. A robotic transfer mechanism connected with the gripping device transfers the utensils to a packaging assembly. Operation of the conveyor, gripper and robotic transfer device is coordinated through a programmed controller.

Abstract: A robotic loading cell for plastic utensils is characterized by a synchronized supply conveyor and gripping mechanism for packaging individual utensils from an integrally molded group or rack of utensils. The gripping device is operable to remove a plurality of individually stacked utensils from the integral racks. A robotic transfer mechanism connected with the gripping device transfers the utensils to a packaging assembly. Operation of the conveyor, gripper and robotic transfer device is coordinated through a programmed controller.

Abstract: A packaging device for lifting a loosely spaced set of articles from a supply conveyor, compressing the set of articles by eliminating the excess space between them, and placing the compressed set of articles into a receiving container is characterized by a frame, a vacuum housing rigidly mounted on the frame, a plurality of pickup assemblies extending downwardly from the vacuum housing, and an apparatus for shifting the plurality of pickup assemblies between an expanded loading configuration which corresponds to the spacing of the set of articles on a conveyor and a compressed unloading configuration which corresponds to the spacing required for the set of articles to be deposited in a container.