Abstract: A robotic case packing system loads articles from one conveyor into containers on another conveyor using a robotic pick and place mechanism and a set of pivoting bins. A controller moves the robotic mechanism in first picking movements to pick and place articles from the conveyor into the first bin. Once the first bin is full, the controller pivots the first bin to allow the articles stacked in the first bin to be loaded into a container held below. While the first bin is pivoting, the controller moves the robotic mechanism to pick and place articles from the conveyor into the second bin. The process repeats with the controller pivoting the second bin during the picking movements used to fill the first bin and vice versa.

Abstract: A robotic case packing system loads articles from a moving conveying system into a container. The system has a pivot drive shaft pivotally connected to a support frame for selective rotation about a selected axis of rotation and has a drive linkage operatively connected between a servo motor and to the pivot drive shaft to selectively pivot the pivot drive shaft. A two-axis-robot is mounted on the pivot drive shaft along the axis of rotation such that movement of the two-axis-robot along its two axes of movement occurs within planes substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. A controller operatively connected to the servo motor is used to selectively actuate the servo motor to rotate the pivot drive shaft in order to enable selective picking and placing of articles with the robotic case packing system.

Abstract: A chute system for selectively moving articles with little to no damage to such articles from a supply source oriented at a first level to a transversely moving conveying system oriented at a second lower level. The chute system includes a powered conveyor belt adapted for advancement of the conveyor belt at a known velocity and a guide operatively associated with the conveyor belt and adapted to shape the conveyor belt in a selected arcuate configuration to accommodate and facilitate translation of motion of such an article on the belt from a substantially vertical direction to a substantially horizontal direction. In a preferred embodiment the chute system includes a stop member to provide a stop for such articles upon movement of such articles from the conveyor belt to such conveying system in order to accommodate selective lateral deposition of such articles onto such conveying system.

Abstract: A chute system for selectively moving articles with little to no damage to such articles from a supply source oriented at a first level to a transversely moving conveying system oriented at a second lower level. The chute system includes a powered conveyor belt adapted for advancement of the conveyor belt at a known velocity and a guide operatively associated with the conveyor belt and adapted to shape the conveyor belt in a selected arcuate configuration to accommodate and facilitate translation of motion of such an article on the belt from a substantially vertical direction to a substantially horizontal direction.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is disclosed for providing selectively spaced products for packing in cases. The conveyor assembly includes a feed conveyor belt for supplying products and first and second pick conveyor belts. A diverter conveyor belt is disposed between the feed conveyor belt and the first and second pick conveyor belts, and adapted to selectively align the feed conveyor belt with either the first pick conveyor belt or the second pick conveyor belt. A first pick motor is operatively associated with the pick conveyor belt for selectively controlling the speed of a first pick conveyor belt. A second pick motor is operatively associated with the second pick conveyor belt for selectively controlling the speed of the second pick conveyor belt. A sensor is operatively associated with the diverter belt for sensing product on the diverter belt.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for weighing a product being moved by a conveyor. When the product is conveyed to be disposed at a weighing station stationarily positioned relative to the moving conveyor, a weighing platform engages the bottom surface of the product and raises the product upwardly so that the bottom surface of the product is disposed above and spaced apart from the conveyor. After the product is raised above the conveyor, the product is weighed, without any interface with the conveyor, and then lowered back down onto the conveyor. Concurrently, the measured weight of the product is compared to a predetermined weight range. If the weight of the product is properly within a predetermined weight range, the product continues down the production line on the conveyor. If, however, the weight of the product is out of tolerance, the unacceptable product is removed from the conveyor.

Abstract: A robotic arm for moving product from a first handling station to a second handling station is disclosed. The robotic arm includes a support structure and a driven shaft mounted to the support structure. The driven shaft is adapted for rotation about a first axis. A device is provided for selectively oscillating the shaft through successive, selected arcs of rotation. A crank arm is secured to the driven shaft at a first point such that the crank arm is rotated about the first axis. A linkage member is rotatably secured to the support structure for rotation about a second axis. The linkage member is rotatably secured to the support structure at a first linkage pivot point on the linkage member. The crank arm and the linkage member are interconnected by an elongated boom member having a first end, a cranking point and a product handling end. The boom member is pivotally connected at its first end to the linkage member. The boom member is further pivotally connected at its cranking point to the crank arm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting flexible bagged product into groups having desired spacing characteristics and for packing such product groups in receptacles is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes an infeed belt for transporting product, a collecting belt operatively aligned with the infeed belt for collecting product from the infeed in product groups, product detecting apparatus for detecting units of product passing from the infeed belt to the collecting belt, means for transporting the product groups from the collecting belt to receptacles, and a controller operatively connected to the detecting apparatus and the collecting belt for advancing the collecting belt a preselected distance for each product which passes onto the collecting belt until a group containing the preselected number of product is collected on the collecting belt, and for activating the collecting belt to advance the collected product gorups to a transporting station.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically collecting and packing a selected number of units of product in flexible bags into a carton in a vertical orientation. The apparatus includes a collecting assembly for receiving and positioning a row of such units in an inclined position. An assembly is provided to transport the inclined row of units from the collecting assembly to a loading station. The loading station is operable to raise one or more rows transported thereto from their inclined position to a substantially vertical position, then plunge the vertically positioned units into a carton. A controller is provided for synchronizing the relative operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically collecting and packing a selected number of units of vertically oriented breakable product into a carton is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame and a collecting assembly mounted to the frame. The collecting assembly includes collecting support apparatus for indexing forward, counting and collecting a row of units of products in a vertical orientation until a selected number of such units of products is collected. The apparatus of the present invention also includes a feed station operatively aligned with the collecting support apparatus such that the feed station receives a row of collected product from the collecting support apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for handling a succession of horizontally oriented bagged products, such as potato chips, arriving at the apparatus after a bagging operation. The apparatus includes a detection mechanism for detecting the arrival of each bag, upon which event the apparatus is activated. A series of flipper arms then move from a retracted position to contact the arrived bag and flip it upward and forward, to a substantially vertical orientation, after which the flipper arms retract and are repositioned below the bag-receiving surface, so as not to interfere with any incoming bag. A take-off belt is provided, and is synchronized with the flipper operation, so as to advance it an appropriate distance during part of the motion cycle of the flipper arms. This permits assembly of a column of vertically oriented bags, each in contact with the next. The operator can then remove the column of bags and easily transfer them to a packing carton.